Music/Lyrics: Ray Davies Book: Joe Penhall Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Karen Bussell While Keith Moon drove his Bentley into a swimming pool, England lifted the World Cup and the excesses of the flower power era were embodied by Beatlemania and hallucinogens, now-Sir Ray Davies was a quiet voice of satire, churning out exquisitely ironic commentary on all things British. With ...
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Book: Joe Penhall Music and Lyrics: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Clare White ‘But will they still play it in 30 years’ time?’ asks The Kinks frontman Ray Davies of his song Sunny Afternoon. Indeed, more than 50 years later, the renowned hit is the titular track of a multi-award winning musical, telling the captivating story of the iconic ...
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Writer: Ray Davies/Joe Penhall Composer: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Tim Wright “It doesn’t sound like Merseybeat, it doesn’t sound like anyone.” is the knowing reaction from Ray’s sister in the opening of Sunny Afternoon after hearing the band for the first time. It’s a pretty safe bet that a musical containing the calibre of songs like Lola and ...
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Book: Joe Penhall Music/Lyrics: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: John Roberts The Kinks are regarded as one of the biggest names in British popular music history. It’s not hard to see why when you look over their massive cavern of hits including; You Really Got Me, All Day and All of the Night, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower To Fashion, ...
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Writer: Joe Penhall Music: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Jacqui Onions Do not dismiss this as another jukebox musical. Sunny Afternoon uses the music of The Kinks to tell the band’s story from the perspective of singer/song writer Ray Davies (Ryan O’Donnell). The Kinks have an interesting story to tell, from on stage fights to being banned from touring ...
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Book: Joe Penhall Music and Lyrics: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Natasha Hegarty The Kinks is a band that defined 1960s Britain and one which is still just as influential today. Sunny Afternoon tells the story of how one of Britain’s most iconic bands rose to stardom while the country was battling a huge political and social upheaval. This ...
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Writer: Joe Penhall Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Sharon MacDonald-Armitage Storming into Southampton’s Mayflower theatre with a rocking punch is award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon. Telling the story of brothers Ray and Dave Davies and their fellow Kinks bandmates Pete Quaife and Mick Avory, Sunny Afternoon transports the audience back to the 60s and depicts the struggle of four working class lads ...
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Book: Joe Penhall Original Story: Ray Davies Music and Lyrics: Ray Davies Director: Edward Hall Reviewer: Lauren Humphreys From Muswell Hill to the top of the charts, via endless discord, constant ripping off from their managers, unexpected parenthood, depression and a war with the US trade unions, Sunny Afternoon is a spirited, celebratory, witty, joyous departure from the usual musical ...
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