Sunny Afternoon features music and lyrics by Ray Davies, from a book by Joe Penhall and direction by Edward Hall; it commemorates the enduring sound of one of UK’s most well-loved bands.
This jukebox musical, produced by
Sonia Friedman, first opened in the West End in 2014, featuring music entirely
drawn from the works of The Kinks, with music and lyrics by Ray Davies.
This was a very pleasurable way
to spent a Friday evening; the weather was wet and gloomy outside but inside
the theatre the atmosphere was electric with anticipation as the audience
waited for the show to start. The audience was mainly made up of the over
sixties age group who had enjoyed their teenage years in the 1960’s; this was a
walk down memory lane for them, reliving their time when the Kinks were at
their height musically.
Danny Horn portrays Kinks lead
singer, Ray Davies and mastered his mannerisms, facial expressions and vocal
inflections expertly, delivering his role perfectly, he actually resembles the
songwriter/singer.
Oliver Hoare takes on the role of
his rebellious, often short-tempered, party-loving womaniser brother Dave
Davies, who has a penchant for cross-dressing. He brings energy and
passion to the role whilst playing the
guitar excellently.
Harry Curley plays bassist
Peter Quaife and Zakarie Stokes plays drummer Mick Avory bringing the
sounds and 1960’s Kinks engaging entertaining style to this enjoyable show.
Tam Williams plays the band’s
first manager Grenville Collins, Victoria Anderson plays Gwen, Deryn Edwards plays
Mrs. Davies, Joseph Richardson plays Robert Wace, Lisa Wright plays Rasa.
The company is completed by
Alicia Ally, Morgan Burgess, James Chisholm, Phil Corbitt, Alasdair Craig,
Dominic Gee-Burch, Kristian Jacobs, Robin Johnson, Sorrel Jordan, Jada Langley,
Timothy Roberts, Georgiana Wainwright-Jones and Emily Whitby-Samways.
The show relates their story
through a back catalogue of hit songs, including ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Waterloo
Sunset’, 'Dedicated Follower Of Fashion', and ‘All Day and All of the Night’
plus an unusual acapella version of ‘Days’
sung by departing managers along with Ray and Dave, showcasing beautiful
harmonies and exemplary talent of the cast. The Kinks were formed in 1963, they were originally
called The Ravens.
Personal disclosures about the
brothers’ lives such as they came from a working class background, living in
Muswell Hill, London, having six elder sisters, one of whom passed away when
Ray was just 13 years old and Ray’s depression after the birth of his baby
daughter were revealed but I was disappointed that the show didn’t touch
on his long-term relationship with The
Pretenders lead singer, Chrissie Hynde.
The stage set has an array of
speakers of various sizes on three walls with a single studio window left
exposed. In front of the window is a drum kit at centre stage flanked by rows
of guitars, basses, and several standing microphones. The space transforms
throughout the production, sometimes resembling a recording studio and at
others suggesting the environment of a live broadcast set. When the cast
launched into ‘Sunny Afternoon’ confetti
filled the air, floating down over the audience.
Set design is by Miriam Buether,
with choreography by Adam Cooper, lighting by Rick Fisher, sound by Matt
McKenzie, and musical supervision by Elliott Ware. Musical and vocal
adaptations are by Ray Davies and Elliott Ware. Casting is by Natalie Gallacher
CDG for Pippa Ailion & Natalie Gallacher Casting.
The whole cast bring vitality and
energy to this production and their enjoyment and camaraderie shines throughout.
There is a strong 1960’s atmosphere to
the production which is aided by the wardrobe choices, Mary Quant style black
and white geometrical design dresses, white knee length boots and feather boas,
whilst The Kinks band members stay true to the original Kinks stage outfits.
Ray Davies’s songs exhibit a
strong sense of storytelling, blended with his exceptional intensity, humour,
and a sometimes a tinge of melancholy and nostalgia. The songs blended in well
with the storytelling, they didn’t feel disconnected from the plot as can often
happen with Jukebox musicals.
The show ended with the audience
on their feet, dancing and singing to a full on rock version of ‘You Really Got
Me’ and firm favourite, ‘Lola’ which has been the subject of some controversy currently.
I can highly recommend this show
to all music fans whether Kinks devotees or not, it includes stunning vocals,
exceptional guitar and drum playing and the multi-talents of all actor-musicians
involved. It’s no surprise that Sunny Afternoon won a number of Olivier awards
for its West End run in the Best Jukebox musicals category.
The show runs from Tuesday 28 April - Sat 2nd May 2026.
For show details and tickets see https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/sunny-afternoon
Reviewer – Anne Pritchard
On – 1st May 2026
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