West End Show review: Memphis the Musical

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Published on Friday, 24 October 2014 11:49

Last Updated on 25 October 2014

Monica Costa

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Memphis The Musical opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 23 October 2014. I recently attended a preview show and I came out with a big smile on my face determined to learn all songs by heart from the newly bought special limited edition CD Memphis. I am not usually so enthusiastic about musicals, but there was absolutely nothing I did not like about Memphis! The singers were all absolutely brilliant, the retro clothes were to die for and of course the music soulful and exciting – no surprise considering the involvement of Bon Jovi’s David Bryan who composed the original score for the Musical. Perfect night out for people who love good music and want to go back into a musical journey to the R&B roots.

Synopsis

Inspired by true events from the underground nightclubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, Memphis follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ ‘Huey Calhoun’ who wants to change the world and Felicia, a beautiful black club singer, who is ready for her big break. Huey falls in love with Felicia and has the vision to bring her voice and her music out of the clubs and onto the airwaves of America but he has to face the cultural and racial divides within Memphis. His peaceful fight will spark a music revolution that will shake the world.

The soul of a new era is dawning as the first incredible sounds of rock ‘n’ roll, blues and gospel are emerging into the mainstream.

The Verdict

London Mums’ rating: A well deserved 10/10.

Memphis the Musical has all ingredients for a night out filled with soulful rhythm ‘n’ blues, exceptional singers particularly the lead singers, the Queen of British soul, multi-award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight (The Bodyguard) and West End star Killian Donnelly (The Commitments, Billy Elliot the Musical, Les Miserables), exhilarating dancers. I have never attended a West End Show where the background singers are as good as the lead singers. But Memphis the Musical is an exception. Everybody sings and sings well.

The clear protagonist of the show is the music. The original songs, composed by GRAMMY® winner and Bon Jovi co-founder and keyboardist David Bryan, are characterised by a unique blend of Fifties rhythm and blues, gospel and rock ‘n’ roll. I have seen David various times in concert with Bon Jovi and has never disappointed me!

Memphis is a gripping true-life inspired story from writer Joe Di Pietro. Good storytelling is very important in musical too and Memphis tells a compelling story that has universal appeal. The themes of acceptance of the difference cultures is still current.

The Cast

Led by multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight as club singer ‘Felicia Farrell’ and stage star Killian Donnelly as radio DJ ‘Huey Calhoun’, with Rolan Bell as ‘Delray’, Tyrone Huntley as ‘Gator’, Claire Machin as ‘Gladys’, Jason Pennycooke as ‘Bobby’ and Mark Roper as ‘Mr. Simmons’, the full cast of Memphis will include Keisha Atwell, Arielle Campbell, Mark Carroll, Joseph Davenport, Momar Diagne, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Kimmy Edwards, Hillary Elk, Laura Ellis, Charlotte Gorton, Benjamin Harrold, Waylon Jacobs, Rachel John, Dean Maynard, Devon McKenzie-Smith, Tim Newman, Simon Ray-Harvey, Jon Robyns, Ashley Rumble, Kyle Seeley, Helen Siveter, Dawnita Smith, and Alex Thomas.

Memphis Lives In Beverley Featurette

Memphis the Musical – Official UK Extended Trailer

Where Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP

Dates Performances from 9 October 2014 – Opening Night – 23 October 2014

Performances Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm – Wednesday & Saturday at 2.30pm

Ticket Prices £20 to £67.50

Box Office 0207 379 5399

Website memphisthemusical.com

Twitter twitter.com/memphismusical

Facebook facebook.com/memphisthemusical

Monica Costa

Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums