Sunny Afternoon at the Bristol Hippodrome Review
Sunny Afternoon
Bristol Hippodrome
7-11 March 2017
Reviewed by Siobhan Bridgwater
Sunny Afternoon, the hit musical based on the music of The Kinks, is a rare treat. Packed full with the music and lyrics of the band’s renowned songwriter, Ray Davies, this show was superbly delivered at the Bristol Hippodrome. It tells the story of the group’s inception and its explosive arrival on the music scene in 1964. It follows their journey through the years, charting not only their incredible successes, but also their internal struggles: the bitter fighting and the varied, personal challenges they all faced.
A working class band of young Londoners, who had phenomenal success with such hits as You Really Got Me, All Day and All of the Night, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Lola and Sunny Afternoon, seemed to have had the world at its feet. The band has a truly impressive discography listed in the program spanning three decades but this hit musical shows the price the band members paid for their success. It glimpses at the disputes between the sibling brothers and the growing hostilities between other band members, the crushing pressures on Ray to write and perform along with the ensuing loneliness and increasing sense of isolation felt by all as the managers and unions demand a meaty, financial slice of their international success.
The music is loud, bash and in your face one moment then soft and gentle, portraying heartbreaking sensitivity, the next. This multitalented cast are absolutely faultless as they play out a wonderful script, peppered with some pretty fruity language in parts, and countless comical and historical music and sporting references. Ryan O’Donnell’s performance as the emotional visionary Ray Davies is totally absorbing. He manages to display both the assured, driving force charisma of this song-writing genius along with his vulnerable, reticent traits with effortless ease and swag. Mark Newnham (as younger brother and hedonistic Dave Davies), Andrew Gallo (as drummer Mick Avory) and Garmon Rhys (as bassist Pete Quaife) are all equally outstanding and give some wonderful insights into the personalities of the other original band members alongside brilliant musical contributions. And the doomed, bittersweet love story between Ray and his young Lithuanian bride, Rasa, is beautifully unfolded and entwined within the main storyline. Lisa Wright is so wonderful as Rasa and the duets between her and Ryan O’Donnell are truly stunning. Her melancholy rendition of I Go to Sleep is particularly touching.
Everyone in this show deserves a mention really. The supporting musicians, set designers, dancers, stylists and the sound and lighting teams all add considerable contributions into the creation of the most wonderful sixties vibe and an electric, high energy production. I loved the way the performers danced and paraded up and down the central runway, which extended out into the audience, from the main stage throughout the show.
After a night of serious entertainment, and just when you thought that it could not get any better, the whole cast flood the stage and somehow manage to crank everything up a serious notch and swing in the marvellous Madison Square Garden finale which has the whole audience jumping up on our feet, singing along at the top of our voices, waving and clapping as if we were actually there, experiencing The Kinks in their heyday. They totally blew the roof off.
Sunny Afternoon is in a league of its own. One of the best shows I have ever seen. I would go back every night, again and again, if I could. Now I just want to find out everything about this iconic British pop band from Muswell Hill and start downloading their music.
An easy five stars.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £15 to £69.50 (plus £4 transaction fee).
Sunny Afternoon is at the Bristol Hippodrome until 11 March 2017. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3012.
Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ | 0844 871 3012
