New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 25th November 2023
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
4****
Writer Ed Curtis delves deep into the relatively unknown story behind the success of R&B band The Drifters. Unusually we are seeing through the eyes of the daughter of a phenomenal woman, Faye Treadwell. Faye was the driving power behind The Drifters, holding her own as a black woman, at a time when the music industry was dominated by white men. She stormed the gates!
Director Jonathan Notes expertly weaves well known Drifters hits into the production, using them to underscore the storyline. Familiar tunes that get the audience singing along like ‘Kissin’ in the back row of the movies’, ‘Under the boardwalk’ and ‘Sweets for my sweet’. By contrast Carly Mercedes Dyer (Faye Treadwell) powers through with her own songs to express the emotion and passion of her experience. She raised the roof!
The Drifters is a trade name that has featured 60 different vocalists since forming in 1953. The story is fast paced, covering multiple changes in the bands line up and a tumultuous journey to stardom. The versatility of Ashford Campbell (Ben. E. King, Rudy Lewis & others), as he switches between headline characters is impressive. You are struck by the sensitivity of Campbell’s portrayal of Rudy Lewis, the singer who struggles with his sexuality and takes his own life. Alongside Tarik Frimpong (Clyde McPhatter, Lover Paterson and others), they all take on the distinctive characteristics in action and voice of their lead singers. Dalton Harris (Johnny Moore, Gerhart Thrasher & others) and Miles Anthony Daley (George Treadwell & others) makes the full line up of exceptional vocalists who dance and sing their way through the many characters.
However, the leading light is most definitely Faye Treadwell (Carly Mercedes Dyer), a no nonsense women who single handedly keeps The Drifters alive on both sides of the Atlantic. Even after her husband and business partner, George Treadwell (Miles Anthony Daley) dies, she is determined to continue on, experiencing prejudice and misogyny throughout her career.
The Drifters Girl is a chance to hear fabulous music and learn the captivating story of a pioneer in the R&B music industry. There is everything to like!