Million dollar Quartet: Theater review

Broadway's Sun records hit rocks London West end.

Noel Coward Theatre, London (1 October)

Derek Hagen, Ben Goddard, Michael Malarkey, Robert Britton Lyons, Bill Ward, Francesca Jackson

Eric Schaeffer

LONDON - million dollar Quartet is a straight-forward Jukebox musical, but because the music was by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis at Sun records in the 1950s, it is not your average Jukebox.

As Sunday in the park with George of the stage show based tries it, on a single image, and like the Stephen Sondheim classic, meat, such as the image came. That's where the comparison ends, as it not so much a musical as a concert.

In this case, it is the famous photo of the four singers with a piano in Sam Phillips' Memphis recording studio, and the book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux shows something about what the in the heady days rock ' n ' roll in its infancy was going on - but not whole lot.

It is however, a number of shake is given 23 numbers this time full measure directed by Eric Schaeffer, who brought his creative team at Broadway. The show is as smooth as Elvis hair.

American Robert Britton Lyons, of the role of Perkins on Broadway and played in every production since, an otherwise British occupation occurs. He has more of the bar and the presence of an early rock star than the others, although Derek Hagen are all great artists such as cash, Ben Goddard as Lewis and Michael Malarkey .

Malarkey resembles more Joaquin Phoenix as cash in walk the line as Elvis. It is a little too compact for the legendary artist, although he catch Presley's scorn, in the right light and his baritone is strong, if no echo of the original figures such as such as "that's all right, Mama," "Peace in the Valley" and "Hound Dog."

Hagen looks less like cash as John C. Reilly play Dewey Cox, but he has cash's art with a rhythm guitar, and his rich, deep voice is a game for the man in black on songs such as "sixteen tons," "I Walk the Line" and "Riders in the Sky".

Goddard is a bit chunky for the skinny Lewis, but he has his blond locks and powerful vocal delivery. He pounds from "Real wild child," "Great Balls Of Fire" and "whole lotta shakin 'Goin' on" with enormous momentum.

It is Lyons, however, the real stuff of rockabilly parades. Like Perkins he is slender with combed-back hair and has a middle way with a lead guitar. He gives the bitterness, the Perkins of Presley win all the glory for "Blue Suede Shoes," which he performs had kick-off the show, but he has the charm of a man, Staples for later rock bands was his compositions such as "Matchbox" and "Honey don't". The latter was not in the earlier productions but has been added to the West end show. The program makes a point to thank Paul McCartney, who now owns the song.

Francesca Jackson is a welcome female presence as a friend of Elvis, and shows you real flare "Fever" and "I hear you knocking." Gez Gerrard on the double bass and Adam Riley on drums remain onstage throughout and give the music the right drive.

Lewis and Perkins trade insults through the show, making a break for Bill Ward as Phillips, who tells what history is the four artists and Sun records, before you to glory went and wealth and it fabulous range stock from radio stations and Holiday Inn just.

Evening ends with the guys in shiny jackets, as the audience irresistibly to the beat of some mighty impressive and infectious rockabilly increases.

Venue: Noel Coward Theatre, London (1 October)
Cast: Robert Britton Lyons, Derek Hagen, Ben Goddard, Michael Malarkey, Bill Ward, Francesca Jackson
Script, original concept and direction: Floyd Mutrux
Book: Colin Escott
Director: Eric Schaeffer
Musical arrangements and monitoring: Chuck Mead
Set designer: Derek McLane
Costumes: Jane Greenwood
Lighting designer: Howell Binkley
Sound designer: Kai Harada