Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 28th February 2026
5*****
Olivier Award-winning Sunny Afternoon rolls into Leeds this week, bringing with it a smart, muscular jukebox musical inspired by the life and music of The Kinks. In the tradition of shows such as The Buddy Holly Story and Jersey Boys, it charts the heady mix of ambition and idealism, fraught contracts, volatile relationships and, ultimately, hard-won success in the face of adversity.
Written by Ray Davies and Joe Penhall, this is far more than a polished tribute concert. While it is packed with classic Kinks numbers – including You Really Got Me, Lola, Waterloo Sunset and Dedicated Follower of Fashion – the songs are woven into a narrative that evokes its era with confidence and presents characters who deepen and develop as the band evolves.
Drama was never in short supply for the Kinks. Alongside one of rock music’s most infamous sibling rivalries, they also earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first British band to be effectively barred from touring the United States. The story follows the group from the brink of discovery in 1964 through roughly 15 years of upheaval and achievement. Visually, the production is striking: the first half plays out against a wall of amplifiers, evoking a vast recording studio, while the band’s first American visit transforms the backdrop into a bold Stars and Stripes motif.
Performances across the board are strong. Danny Horne is outstanding in the central role of Ray Davies – a tortured genius and perfectionist, while Oliver Hoare brings manic energy to Dave Davies. Harry Curley is engaging as the shy bassist Pete Quaife who seems to be perpetually on the edge of tears, and Zakarie Stokes anchors the band convincingly as drummer Mick Avory.
Unsurprisingly, the music is the production’s greatest strength. Beyond the guitar-driven anthems, the show allows space for gentler, more reflective moments. An acappella rendition of “Days” is beautifully harmonised, while “Too Much on My Mind” becomes a tender duet between Ray and his wife, Rasa (Lisa Wright). All of this is supported by a superb live band (Michael Cullen and Alex Ward) and confident on-stage musicianship from the cast – Ben Caplan (Eddie Kassner and others) helping out on drums and tambourine and Phil Corbitt (Mr Davies/Allen Klein) was a multi-instrumentalist.
It is easy to understand why this production swept the boards at the 2015 Olivier Awards. This is not a relentlessly feel-good musical; it embraces darker themes and a weighty sense of realism. Yet it is precisely that honesty which gives the show its impact – a compelling portrait of resilience and creative survival. In Leeds until Saturday 28th, this is not only worth seeing once, but worth returning to again.