I missed the Jersey Boys at Venue Cymru in Llandudno the last time the show was touring here, so this time I made sure that I got to see the show that so many people have raved about over the years.
The smash-hit West End production has been playing to packed houses at the newly refurbished Trafalgar Theatre, and a second company of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning musical JERSEY BOYS has headed out on a new tour of the UK and Ireland, this week it was the turn of Venue Cymru in Llandudno to bring the show to North Wales.
After taking to my seat in the theatre I was surprised by the look of the set, which looks very industrial with wired panels constructed with what looks like scaffolding, on the right was a spiral staircase leading to a walkway that went to the left to another set of stairs coming down. My first thought was how will they bring us the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons with such a modern and industrial looking set.
The show opens with a modern-day performance of a Four Seasons’ song done in a rap style and not in English, we are then whisked back in time and introduced to one of the characters who will take us through the history of Frankie Valli by stepping into the spotlight from time to time and tell us the story which is wonderfully done and kind of breaks the fourth wall.
My thoughts about the set were soon brushed away as they set changes from time to location so smoothly with panels lifting up and coming down, the actors racing in with parts of the set to bring you so much more such as tables and gliding across the stage of chairs before the lights come back up to light the scene, all faultlessly done to reduce any delays for set changes.
Now many of you will have heard of Frankie Valli or at least heard songs and his iconic voice, I have to say that I was blown away by Michael Pickering who plays Valli, not only does he have an amazing stage presence but also has the voice to carry off portraying Frankie Valli on the stage, he booms out across the theatre with those classic tracks such as Sherry Baby and Big Girls Don’t Cry to perfection.
Joining Pickering on the stage as the rest of the Four Seasons is Blair Gibson as Bob Gaudio, who is also the character that brings us the story throughout the production, Lewis Griffiths as Nick Massi who has such a great bass tone during the musical pieces and some nice comedy moments that had me laughing and Dalton Wood as Tommy Devito a character that although has a past that puts the band at risk you do come to respect what Devito was trying to do to bring the fame to the Seasons.
Also in the cast are Dougie Carter (Hank Majewski), Ryan Carter-Wilson (Swing), Emma Crossley (Mary Delgado), Jordan James (Gyp DeCarlo), Norton James (Norm Waxman), Michael Levi (Bob Crewe), Tom O’Brien (Swing), Nathan Routledge (Swing), George Salmon (Joe Pesci), Ellie Seaton (Lorraine), Daisy Steere (Francine), Amy West (Swing), and Damien Winchester (Barry Belson).
JERSEY BOYS which is written by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe is a stunning show and yes I have to say that seeing a show that you know the music and can sing along to, is certainly a joy to watch, it’s fascinating and interesting to go behind the music and the story of Franki Valli and The Four Seasons including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.
I didn’t really know the story behind the four guys from New Jersey and it was lovely to see the story brought to the stage with amazing sets and lighting that takes you through the history of the band with a projector screen to let us know the seasons and to see performances of the guys on stage, the music that is superbly performed by the cast including playing the instruments as well (look out for the drummer who glides the stage from scene to musical scene) and the superb production of a show that you have to see.
On the night I saw Jersey Boys it was created with a standing ovation which was well deserved, this is certainly a show that you could see over and over again.
Jersey Boys is showing at Venue Cymru in Llandudno until the 4th of June 2022, don’t miss this toe-tapping, fun and emotional performance, book your seats now on the website at www.venuecymru.co.uk.
Oh What A Night of amazing music and entertainment
Event Title: Jersey Boys at Venue Cymru
Event Description: The award-winning show based on the story of Fany Valli and the Four Season returned to Venue Cymru in Llandudno, North Wales
Start date: May 31, 2022
End date: June 4, 2022
Location name: Venue Cymru
Address: Promenade Llandudno, LL30 1BB
Performer: Various
Offer price: 28.00
Currency: GBP
Summary
Jersey Boys is a show that will have you singing along and tapping your feet, it’s a show that is a fantastic night out.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
