Winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, Sunny Afternoon is an irresistible musical with slick theatricality and ingenious storytelling at its heart. It tells the captivating tale of how one of Britain’s greatest bands, The Kinks, rose to stardom. Read more …
Step into swinging 60s Britain and discover how The Kinks found their definitive sound that rocked a nation and influenced generations. Feel the euphoric highs and experience the power of a live Kinks performance as we witness the band’s beginnings, their barnstorming debut on Top of the Pops, their infamous American tour and their triumphant comeback.
Despite reservations about the initial slow burn this is a great show – director Edward Hall keeps everything boiling, the cast is universally on the ball and the hard rock and high octane hits are played with finger bleeding brio.
One of the seminal British bands of the Sixties gets the biographical treatment at The Playhouse this week in Sunny Afternoon, a show that’s several cuts above the jukebox musical you may be expecting.
By the end, however, the hysteria of Madison Square Garden has whipped a nostalgia-seeking audience into a suitable frenzy.
A great evening’s entertainment and a blast from the past.
Ryan O’Donnell gives a fine and nuanced performance as Ray, Lisa Wright is lovely and poignant as first wife Rasa, and the music magnificent throughout, from Sunny Afternoon to Lola.
Disappointing and shallow jukebox musical.
An unmissable show. Beg, borrow or steal a ticket – just go.
While the second act lags a little as the band's personal lives begin to get in the way, Sunny Afternoon makes for a very entertaining night.
Joe Penhall--Sunny Afternoon
Sunny Afternoon
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh from Tuesday September 13, 2016, until Saturday September 17, 2016. More info: www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk
King's Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday October 11, 2016, until Saturday October 15, 2016. More info: www.theambassadors.com/kings/
RSS feed of Theatre reviews