We finally made it to see Jersey Boys and I'm so glad we did. This was the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and what a story it was. I knew that the music was going to be great and that there'd be so many songs I didn't know they'd sung. What I didn't know was how the seasons changed over the years with Frankie Valli staying the only constant. I was also surprised that the band wasn't Frankie's in the first place and that they grew up out a pretty rough area robbing jewellers and hanging on street corners.
The set was very simple, stark black metal grills and a walk way, with occasional screen additions. The screens played multiple roles throughout and the use of pop art complemented some of the darker set elements. The cast were adept at bringing furniture and props on and off seamlessly between scenes and, with the right lighting and some of the larger pieces rising up through the floor, a simple set was effortlessly transformed from a jail to a smoky jazz cafe and then an arena stage!
I loved seeing the inspiration behind the songs, although I'm not sure 'December 1963' will be the same again... I thought there'd be more of those famous red jackets and in comparison a lot of their suits seemed bland but I'm sure at the time they were the height of fashion. Talking of fashion dancing has changed and boy bands these days don't have the same snappy moves although the 'step click' is still going strong!
But what I really loved about Jersey Boys was the feeling that when they were acting their stage performances I felt like I was really at a concert and not at a musical about the band. The audience got into it and they used the blinders on stage to great effect. The television filming sections were well done too, somehow you felt like you had an insiders view on how it was shot with them all on stage facing away but a screen showing you what TV viewers would have seen and at times it seemed like they were showing real footage, they weren't.
I had a few gripes, Frankie's mike was glaringly obvious in the middle of his forehead when everyone else's was well concealed and the levels on the moving drum kit were out often obscuring the lyrics which was shame. However the show was nominated for an Olivier award and I really think it deserved one, it certainly deserved the standing ovation at the end. I bought a 'best of' album when I got home and I'm still singing the songs a week later!
The set was very simple, stark black metal grills and a walk way, with occasional screen additions. The screens played multiple roles throughout and the use of pop art complemented some of the darker set elements. The cast were adept at bringing furniture and props on and off seamlessly between scenes and, with the right lighting and some of the larger pieces rising up through the floor, a simple set was effortlessly transformed from a jail to a smoky jazz cafe and then an arena stage!
I loved seeing the inspiration behind the songs, although I'm not sure 'December 1963' will be the same again... I thought there'd be more of those famous red jackets and in comparison a lot of their suits seemed bland but I'm sure at the time they were the height of fashion. Talking of fashion dancing has changed and boy bands these days don't have the same snappy moves although the 'step click' is still going strong!
But what I really loved about Jersey Boys was the feeling that when they were acting their stage performances I felt like I was really at a concert and not at a musical about the band. The audience got into it and they used the blinders on stage to great effect. The television filming sections were well done too, somehow you felt like you had an insiders view on how it was shot with them all on stage facing away but a screen showing you what TV viewers would have seen and at times it seemed like they were showing real footage, they weren't.
I had a few gripes, Frankie's mike was glaringly obvious in the middle of his forehead when everyone else's was well concealed and the levels on the moving drum kit were out often obscuring the lyrics which was shame. However the show was nominated for an Olivier award and I really think it deserved one, it certainly deserved the standing ovation at the end. I bought a 'best of' album when I got home and I'm still singing the songs a week later!
