> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# REVIEW: Sunny Afternoon@Theatre Royal
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-sunny-afternoon-theatre-royal/
- Published: 2016-12-14T10:11:50.000Z
- Updated: 2016-12-14T12:22:42.000Z
- Description: Due to my confusion over ‘60s summertime hits I had the vague idea this was a musical celebrating the life and work of Mungo Jerry. Luckily it turns out that Sunny Afternoon is actually based on the far superior back catalogue of the Kinks.
- Author: Michael Hootman
- Tags: Arts, In The South, Reviews, Theatre, Review Michael Hootman, Theatre Royal

## Due to my confusion over ‘60s summertime hits I had the vague idea this was a musical celebrating the life and work of Mungo Jerry. Luckily it turns out that Sunny Afternoon is actually based on the far superior back catalogue of the Kinks.

[![zz3a46f6c1](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/zz3a46f6c1.jpg)](http://gscene.com/arts/theatre/review-sunny-afternoon-theatre-royal/attachment/zz3a46f6c1/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)

With as much energy as I’ve perhaps seen on one stage the show takes us on a journey from working-class Muswell Hill to the group’s concert in Madison Square Gardens. It’s a great story of the vicissitudes of rock’n’roll with **Joe Penhall**’s book confidently balancing the showbiz melodrama with the emotional damage that constant touring can inflict. Two magnetic leads, a brilliantly designed set, some truly classic songs given barnstorming performances and a riot of costume changes make *Sunny Afternoon* a thrilling musical experience.

We start off when the group were known as the Ravens, playing backing for posh crooner Robert Wace (**Joseph Richardson**) who fills his club with stockbrokers and debutantes. In the middle of his embarrassingly staid gyrations his band kick out the jams and play *I Gotta Move* and thus the Kinks are born. Wace and fellow posho Grenville Collins (**Tomm Coles**) become the band’s managers at rates very favourable to themselves. In fact this seems to be a recurring problem the Kinks have to continually face: from managers to American unions everyone seems to be squeezing them for as much cash as possible.

As important as the music is the central relationship between the two brothers. **Ryan O’Donnell** is spellbinding as Ray Davies, suggesting a soulful genius who perhaps even thinks in song. **Mark Newnham** gives us a mischievous, dandified and slightly camp Dave, at times coming across like a prototypical **Pete Shelley**. While it’s Ray who gets burned out by touring and has some kind of breakdown, it’s Dave who will wander home in a slinky black cocktail dress, the result of a drunken swap at some party. *Sunny Afternoon* presents the tumultuous relationship the two brothers had and artfully condenses it as they sing *Long Way from Home* to each other – at first with some rancour, but it movingly ends in an embrace. There’s also sterling support from **Michael Warburton** as their avuncular yet ruthless manager, **Robert Took** as the boys’ father and **Richard Hurst** as yet another manager – and former teen sensation – Larry Page.

The songs are presented with a thrilling vibrancy which sometimes makes you feel you’re at a concert rather than the theatre. Early on the band play *You Really Got Me* in the Top of the Pops studio whilst dolly birds dance in Op art mini skirts – it feels so authentic it’s pretty much like time travel. The ballads are handled equally well; there’s a beautiful a capella version of *Days* and O’Donnell’s version of *Too Much on My Mind* – on the quieter songs he sounds so much like Ray Davies it’s uncanny – will bring a lump to the throat.

One word of advice: toward the end of the evening me and my companion were getting tense as it seemed the show was going to end without a performance of *Lola*. Don’t worry as the song which is perhaps the Kinks’ finest makes the perfect close to the evening in a wonderfully spirited version.

Continues until Saturday, December 31

[For more information and tickets click here.](http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/sunny-afternoon/theatre-royal-brighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)