Lyceum, Sheffield – until 30 September 2023
Reviewed by Alison Beaumont
4****
The Drifters Girl musical tells the story of the highs and lows of the woman who made the Drifters. Faye Treadwell explains the highs of the Drifters hit records to the lows of tragedy and legal battles to her daughter. Faye Treadwell was the manager of the Drifters who refused to give up on the group she held so much passion for.
The stage setting for this show is simple but effective with changing in lighting and screen projections.
The cast consists of only 6 members, Faye Treadwell (Carly Mercedes Dyer), George Treadwell & others (Miles Anthony Daley), Ben E King, Rudy Lewis & others (Ashford Campbell), Clyde Mcphatter, Lover Paterson & others (Tarik Frimpong), Johnny Moore, Gerhart Thrasher & others (Dalton Harris) and the Girl (Jaydah Bell-Rickets). Although the men all did a remarkable job juggling all these roles, I did feel that with them playing so many different characters it was quite confusing especially as the show is quite fast paced telling the story especially in Act 1. Sometimes the onstage quick costume changes was a little off putting.
Carly Mercedes Dyer (Fay) has an amazing voice and certainly did the role justice. All the men, Miles Anthony Daley, Ashford Campbell, Tarik Frimpont and Dalton Harris are all very talented and their vocals and dancing were brilliant, for me I think Ashford Campbell just had that little bit of something extra but all of them did the main character role of the Drifters exceptionally well.
The orchestra were a major part in this musical and were faultless.
The Drifters Girl showcases lots of musical numbers that everyone loves such as Come on Over to my Place, Save the Last Dance for me, Saturday Night at the Movies and Under the Boardwalk. The hardest part in this musical was trying not to sing along to the songs but in true theatre style at the end they got everyone up on their feet for a dance and sing along.
If you love Drifters songs, you will no doubt love going to see this musical. I could have stayed longer just listening to them singing.