For the avoidance of doubt, this review covers All Or Nothing The Experience, the spin-off show celebrating the music of the iconic mod band, The Small Faces, not All Or Nothing the Mod Musical, the successful West End London show. Both were devised, produced and written by actress Carol Harrison, star of many TV shows and Eastenders fame.
The Small Faces, an English rock band from London were established in 1965. They achieved pop status and had many hit records and chart success with eight UK Top 10 singles, including their classic 1966 No.1 hit ‘All Or Nothing’. The group originally consisted of Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones (the only surviving member of the band) and Jimmy Winston, with Ian McLagan replacing Winston as the band's keyboard player in 1966.
Narrator, Carol Harrison and the show’s talented cast, perform this new production celebrating the music of the pivotal Mod band, charting the band’s rollercoaster journey through their distinctive looks, characteristic clothes and electrifying sound.
Back in the 1960’s the band defined all that was mod, (hip, cool, talented and streetwise), teenagers then were either Mods or Rockers. The band members were four young, lads from the East End of London who went on to become one of the most iconic bands of the 1960’s.
Harrison is herself an East End London girl who had a crush on lead singer, Steve Marriott who was also her neighbour. As Narrator she weaves her personal story as a teenage girl growing up in London around the rise and success of the band. She strolls onto the stage in between the band playing, giving the audience insights into life in the late1960’s dressed in retro geometric style dresses, whilst two young dancers, similarly attired, dance as 1960’s Go Go girls as per the era.
The Small Faces success spanned only four years before the band split up and as such there isn’t too much substance to the storyline which is rather weak and underwhelming at times. We heard about Marriot stealing Rod Stewart’s girlfriend and marrying her and how the band were ripped off financially by their manager, Don Arden who paid them £20 per week and about Marriott’s lifelong friendship with P P Arnold.
The band are talented musicians and much relies on the talents of the lead singer/guitarist, whose interpretation of Marriot is creditable. Unfortunately there was no programme or cast list provided, so as such I am unable to credit any of the cast except Carol Harrison.
The show includes all the band’s hits including ‘What you Gonna Do About It’, ‘Itchycoo Park’, ‘Sha La La La Lee’, and ‘All Or Nothing’. A video projection screen was utilised on the backdrop, back of stage showing stills and videos relevant to the storyline. There was use of spotlights and dry ice throughout the performance.
As the first half came to an end, it was evident that The Small Faces story had been told, and the audience were left wondering if they should leave or were questioning if there was more to come after the interval. Harrison announced that the second half would be a session featuring 60’s music performed by the four-piece band with her and another cast member providing backing vocals with tambourines. The two dancers also performed front of stage.
Tributes in music were paid to Spencer Davies, The Yardbirds, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, The Faces, Denny Lane and The Beatles with a solo acoustic rendition of ‘Yesterday’ by lead singer of the band, Gordon.
This show is aimed at die-hard fans of The Small Faces, many of whom were in the audience who showed their appreciation by clapping, singing along and dancing during the finale.
Strong language and profanity are used throughout the production and as such this show may not be considered suitable for young people.This was a one night show, further September 2025 tour dates may be found via https://rocknrollproductions.co.uk/upcoming-events-aon-all-or-nothing
Reviewer – Anne Horne
On – 4/09/2025
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