Review of Jersey Boys at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

The music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is ageless, and you would struggle to see anyone watch this latest tour of Jersey Boys and not recognise more than a few hits from the musical numbers despite many now being over sixty years old. However, it is interesting to note that the song that many people think of when the name Frankie Valli comes up is Grease, however in Jersey Boys, that is nowhere to be seen, this is very much about the music from the boys of New Jersey.

The musical Jersey Boys celebrates twenty years on stage next year and from the audience at Royal & Derngate during the performance, the thrill they get from it shows no signs of waning. Maybe the audience doesn't react quite like a typical musical audience at times, however, Jersey Boys is not your typical musical. For much of the first act especially, the music plays second fiddle to a very quick passed and sharp series of storytelling. This is literally filled with sharp scene changes and quick-footed stage work. Both director, Des McAnuff, and cast have created an extremely swift stage show. Maybe, if people are going to have a bad word or two for this show, that might be the reason.

Performance wise it is first class, from all of the New Jersey boys themselves through to the minor players, of multiple roles. The clever structure from book writers Marshall Brickman and Rob Elice allows all of the four principles to have their moment telling the story, and indeed epilogue to their story. Tommy DeVito opens the storytelling, the wide cocksure New Jersey boy, often in the clink, and with a knowing smarm to his walk and talk. In the role, Dalton Wood is an excellent presence on stage and perfectly cast, it is a cracking performance.

Nick Massi, the deep deep-voiced performer of The Four Seasons is played with a big, but mostly quiet presence by Christoper Short. A man of few spoken words and when his character explodes, and finally vents his emotions, it comes the more of an impact. Bob Gaudio, played by Blair Gibson, is much more vocal and challenging, from his initial confrontation over his first contract and his drive towards a special contract between himself and Valli, Gaudio becomes the leading player of the group to DeVito's chagrin and Gibson handles the role with great care and more than a little light relief, including a brilliant moment of play on the words of December 1963 (Oh What a Night).

Finally, we have Frankie Valli, performed during this performance by alternate Ryan Heenan. It is safe to say, Heenan is safe hands for the role. His diminutive stature and superb vocals make him very much a perfect Valli. He also has a lovely charm and style to his delivery, making you root very much for him as he challenges those literally looking down and towering over him. It is really a brilliant performance. Without question, all of The Four Seasons' actors put on the sixties style and music to perfection. They have the sound, the look, and the very unique moves of the group.

Jersey Boys as a musical is clearly not for everyone, however, for those with more than a keen interest in The Four Seasons' music, it is a must. For others, you need to go prepared for at times a little less music and a little more story to follow than you might expect from the average stage musical, and certainly don't get prepared for a bit of a show-stopping concert at the end. This is drama very much presented as a musical, and that is never a bad thing in a world full of fluffy wholesome musical theatre.

Grittier than the average musical, but full of the looks and sounds of the era.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Wednesday 22nd March 2023 at the Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton.

Jersey Boys is at Royal & Derngate until 1st April 2023.

For further details about the Royal & Derngate and to book tickets see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Production photos: Birgit + Ralf Brinkhoff