Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, Barn Theatre Cirencester
Photo credit: Alex Tabrizi
On 4 December 1956, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley came together for a spontaneous recording session with Sun Records’ producer, Sam Phillips. This is the first and only time that all of these legendary artists performed in the same place at the same time. Million Dollar Quartet documents this landmark event in rock’n’roll history.
This musical has not been widely seen in the UK but the Barn Theatre have once again added their sparkle to create a high-energy, fun, musicality fuelled production, packed with talent. Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux’s book is witty and packed with historical content - the line from Jerry Lee about gas going up to 25cents is particularly amusing in this day and age!
Mike Leopold’s set design leaves you with no doubt of its recording studio setting with its vinyl clad walls. Andy Webb’s lighting integrates with the set well, particularly during the finale number, and Denise Cleal’s costumes transport us right back to the 1950’s.
Whilst the performers onstage are not impersonating the music icons per se, they adapt many traits which clearly define them in their roles such as Elvis’ hip thrusts and Carl Perkins’ flashy guitar gymnastics. Alex Sutton’s direction supports this despite being somewhat restricted by the playing space. The use of the auditorium aisle is particularly effective when used by Simon Shorten as music mogul Sam Phillips, the absolute glue of the piece. The early introduction of Dyanne (Olivia-Faith Kamau) is slightly questionable but the addition of her character certainly brings the levels of testosterone down!
The strongest element of this production is the flawless actor-musicianship and musical direction by Sam Beveridge. Whilst the sound levels can occasionally be a little instrument heavy over the vocals, the talent from this small cast onstage is quite astounding: Joe Bence (Jerry Lee Lewis) on piano, Joe Butcher (Fluke) on drums, AJ Jenks (Elvis), Lucas Koch (Johnny Cash) and Jay Osborne (Carl Perkins) on guitar, and Melker Nilsson (Brother Jay) on bass perform classic after classic - from ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ to ‘I Walk The Line’ to ‘Great Balls Of Fire’.
Bence as Jerry Lee Lewis is a larger than life character and he may be a scene stealer but he is the life and soul of this piece. Osborne as Carl Perkins has undeniable charisma and is probably the most natural of the quartet, whilst Koch as Johnny Cash channels the strong, silent type perfectly. AJ Jenks as Elvis does not give a cliched performance, which is pleasing, but he has clearly done his research - we wouldn’t expect anything less from someone so well associated with playing Buddy Holly!
You’ll be singing these songs all the way home, Besties!
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jenny Ell
Million Dollar Quartet plays at the Barn Theatre until 16 July, with tickets available here.
