Eden Court Theatre, Inverness 12/5/26
Sunny Afternoon, The Kinks Musical
Music and Lyrics by Ray Davies
Book by Joe Penhall
Directed by Edward Hall
If you are a child of the 60’s then you will love this show. Eden Court was packed out for a four-day run of this Olivier multi -award winning musical. Much like ‘The Jersey Boys’ this play with music charts the journey The Kinks made from Muswell Hill to worldwide success leading to a knighthood in 2017 for Ray Davies, the lead singer and writer. I must confess I hadn’t realised how much he has contributed to popular music in working class Britain along with going to secondary modern school with Rod Stewart.
However, this show concentrates on the story of The Kinks. They were a soundtrack to the ‘swingin’ sixties. I should know. This was my time. Working as dancer at the London Palladium and on TV, the stage door was directly opposite Carnaby Street. We worked with all the stars at the time on the Sunday shows. We played their music loud in the dressing rooms. It was a great time, and their music played a big part. But it has its up and downs as all show business stories do. The manipulation by managers and agents, the conflict between band members, and the union demands when they toured America. I can remember when we took a Morecambe and Wise show to Toronto, the first greeting we had was from the Union demanding dues.
This show tells it all through drama and the iconic songs: Waterloo Sunset, Lola, You Really Got Me Going and of course Sunny Afternoon with the ironic opening line ‘The tax man’s taken all my dough’. And when you get the songs, it’s very, very loud! It is admirably performed by a large cast, all of whom can sing, move and play an instrument. On stage at all times, in the central part of Ray Davies is Danny Horn (at least I think so, no programme available), supported by Oliver Hoare as Dave Davies, Harry Curley as Pater Quaife and Zakarie Stokes as Mick Avory, along with a cast who play multiple roles. They play guitars and drums with real skill and passion. I particularly liked the drum solo in the second half (memories of the great Buddy Rich)
The set design was dull, creating a world which was inventing itself. The costumes also. If I have any critique The choreography was not representative of the time. It didn’t have the stylised moves and manic energy displayed back then with choreographers like Pamela Devis, Lionel Blair and Irving Davies. But it certainly represented a time when Britpop was invented and took over the world. It is a great admirably played talented performers. The audience loved it. A sell out house on a Tuesday! And for the rest of the week, I hope. Catch it in Liverpool 19th – 23 May and Cardiff 26th – 30 May. A Swinging Night Out.
Mary-Ann has had a very long and varied career in show business. Her professional journey has taken her from west end dancer and TV actress to air stewardess, business woman, secondary school teacher, cultural project officer, founding a site specific theatre company to award winning producer.
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