Review: GET UP, STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL, Lyric Theatre

Photo credit: Craig Sugden

The latest biopic musical to take to the stage is Get Up, Stand Up!, telling the story of Bob Marley’s life and music. 

Bringing to life the renowned singer is Arinzé Kene, who is absolutely outstanding. He is so watchable and just draws attention to himself with everything that he does on the stage. If you shut your eyes and just listen, his vocals are so wonderful you could mistake that you are listening to the real Bob Marley. 

Joining Kene in the cast is Gabrielle Brooks who plays his hard done by wife Rita Marley and she absolutely steals the show with her rendition of ‘No Woman, No Cry’. The vocals are amazing and the emotion put into the song makes it even more powerful; she full deserved her round of applause halfway through the song. 

Daniel Bailey multi-roles throughout the piece but opens the show nicely with some interaction with the audience, which is quite comical.  Shanay Holmes does well as Marley’s most famous other woman Cindy Breakspeare and holds her own during her scenes and songs. 

Whilst the narrative of the piece can feel a little lost in places and jumps around a fair bit, there are some lovely moments, notably the lead up to the redemption song, and a poignant speech about slavery and black people being free really drives home a powerful message. 

The set is both clever and basic in equal measure. Designed to be used as speakers as well, the set amplifies the sound and has many practical features.  The use of TV’s in flight cases wheeled across the stage help to inform of where and what year we are in the piece and also doubles up cleverly for seating and police cars at other points. 

The production is colourful and vibrant and manages to create the feel of Jamaica, further aided by the wonderful costumes whereby costume designer Lisa Duncan has really excelled in reflecting the time period. The wigs are also outstanding, with Bob Marley’s wig being the pièce de resistance amongst them all. 

It feels powerful and poignant that 40 years after his death, Marley’s music is entertaining a whole new generation.

So, get up, stand up and get yourself down to the Lyric Theatre!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Emma Rooney

Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical is currently booking until 3 April 2022, with tickets available here.