Review: Jersey Boys

Hey readers!

It's time for my review of Jersey Boys.

"They were just four ordinary guys from New Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story -- a story that has made them an international sensation all over again."

I first saw Jersey Boys in 2015, during its initial nine-year stint in London's West End. I found the show to be extremely entertaining, and have since become rather fond of the music. Whilst the original production would go onto close two years later, it is now being revived at the Trafalgar Theatre; a brand-new West End venue which has just opened following a major multi-million pound restoration project. The revival is fairly similar to the original, though with a new cast and some alterations to the show's designs.

The main attraction of Jersey Boys is its musical score, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. The show features all of the old hits from the American rock band known as 'The Four Seasons'; a group that became internationally successful in the 1960s and 1970s. The music clearly resonates with people from all across the globe, which is demonstrated by the shear popularity of the show. There have been productions of Jersey Boys in New York City, Las Vegas, Chicago, Toronto, Melbourne, Singapore, South Africa, The Netherlands, Japan, Dubai, and China, playing to sold-out audiences everywhere. The audience at the performance I attended were particularly enthralled by the music, and it is easy to see why. The majority of the songs are all very catchy, including classics such as 'Cry for Me', 'December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)' and 'Beggin'. There are also some very heartfelt ballads to be found within the score, including 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' and 'Fallen Angel'. 

 

In the leading role of Frankie Valli is Ben Joyce, who is making his West End debut in this production. Joyce is an excellent singer, and delivered some fantastic renditions. Beyond this, the audience were clearly enamoured with his performance, giving him a standing ovation for his delivery of 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You'. The strongest performance in the show however comes from Benjamin Yates, who portrays Tommy De Vito. Yates really encapsulated the 'tough-guy' persona needed to play Tommy, and embodied the character faultlessly. It is worth noting that he was also an excellent singer, giving an all-round brilliant performance.

The one aspect of this production which is need of some improvement is its sound design. As one might expect with a show of this nature, some audience members prove to be a little loud, attempting to sing along with the performers. This can sometimes make it a struggle for the actors to be heard, as they are having to compete with the cheers of theatregoers. This could be combatted with stronger sound, as this would ensure everything is heard clearly.

Now my final verdict on Jersey Boys. I give Jersey Boys...

Jersey Boys is very enjoyable, largely due to its fantastic musical score. If you are a fan of The Four Seasons, then this is a definite must-see.

Think it should have got a higher rating? Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.

Thanks for reading!

-The Basic Theatre Reviewer