Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until Saturday 30th March 2019.
Reviewed by Leanne Caplis
5*****
Dodger Theatricals and Ambassador Theatre Group present Jersey Boys who once again return to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.
Watch as you are taken through a musical extravaganza of one of the most successful bands in music history. Worldwide hits including Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man and Sherry tell the true-life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
The full cast have remarkable talent although the stands out stars, with their West End professionalism shining through were Simon Bailey (Tommy Devito), Declan Egan (Bob Gaudio) and Michael Watson (Frankie Valli). The voices of these three cast members were faultless with Simon Bailey taking my numbers one spot for star of the show.
Right from curtain up I found myself tapping my feet, clapping my hands and singing along with the music. I thought it clever how we saw a concert from the eyes of the Four Seasons although a warning to those in the dress circle – you might need your sunglasses at the end of the scene as the lights are extremely bright!
The staging is superb and continually changes from a bar to a car and even to a bedroom. The prop and scene changes are carried out seamlessly and although there are a lot of them they do not distract from the show which is testament to the talents of the cast and crew alike.
It was hard to find fault with most of this show which is to be expected with a show that has appeared in the West End. However, the continuous use of expletives is not required. This is a family show and those considering taking younger audience members might want to be aware of it.
The show doesn’t finish at curtain call as you will find yourself singing along with others to the songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as you leave the theatre. If you like music this fast moving, hit after hit show is for you.