Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n’ Roll – Southwark Playhouse Borough, London

Writer: Jonathan Maitland

Director: Dugald Bruce-Lockhart

In 2013, Dr Feelgood guitarist and music maverick Wilko Johnson was told he had just twelve months to live. Fuelled by an energised thirst for life, Johnson embarked upon a farewell tour which, in a twist of fate, turned out not to be his last. This serves as the backdrop for Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n’ Roll, with Johnson, facing death head-on, taking us through his life and career with rock ’n’ roll affirmation.

It is a production which, like Johnson’s back catalogue, blends several different styles. Johnson prides himself on being a lover of literature, and so it is apt that this production blends many artistic styles, from jukebox musical (which Johnson at one point fiercely points out this play is not), to ‘illustrated monologue’ and ‘play with music’, and perhaps even moments where it is simply a tribute act (nodded to itself in the performance). What follows is a chaotic and fascinating insight into one of the founders of punk rock, but also a philosophical look at when life is threatened to be cut short.

Johnson Willis is superb as Wilko Johnson, capturing the mannerisms well and matching his musical prowess too. Willis looks at ease as Johnson and does not shy away from portraying Johnson’s flaws as well as his flamboyance. While Johnson was not the frontman of Dr Feelgood, Willis’ portrayal of the rockstar is an intoxicating performance to bring to the fore the larger-than-life character, fit to be a protagonist in a production such as this.

The nostalgic take on Johnson’s life is, much like the man himself, not without some flaws. It is a production which feels a little unbalanced, and while the attempt to blend styles reflects the boundary-pushing rockstar, it feels a little lopsided at times, taking too long to get to the musical performances which are certainly the most memorable moments. The play also struggles with a pacing issue, with Johnson’s affair being as quickly introduced as it is dismissed, in the same way that the band seemingly falls apart in one conversation.

Nonetheless, this is an extremely hardworking production, lifted not just by its lead, but by its small but talented cast too. Georgina Fairbanks floats around the stage as Johnson’s muse, and his ‘Canvey Island girl’, wife Irene, brings the groupie energy to the band by the show’s close. In addition, Georgina Field (Sparko) and David John (Big Figure) are fun as the guitarist and drummer of the band respectively.

What this production is full of is musical talent from the performers who play live, bringing the much-needed rock ’n’ roll to the show. The pair are joined by Jon House as Dr Feelgood frontman Lee Brilleaux and House’s presence during the musical numbers is energising. The quartet also multi-role throughout, allowing for the play to seamlessly transition through Johnson’s life from his early days in Canvey Island to the operating table.

Despite its pacing flaws and struggle for identity, Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ’n’ Roll, like Johnson, the production still hits the right notes when it needs to. The production, musically, is exceptional and the music still feels as fresh and as defiant as it did upon first release, and is certainly as loud and as bold as Dr Feelgood and Wilko Johnson fans in attendance would expect.

Coupled with James Stokes’ beautiful lighting design, some of Johnson’s most moving moments are strikingly poignant, and evoke the sense of a musician coming to the end of his final gig. While Johnson, who made a remarkable recovery in 2013 before dying in 2022, may no longer be here, it is clear that his music, and his influence, live on.

Runs until 19 April 2025