The Drifters Girl, Alhambra Theatre Bradford Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Helen Noble
The Drifters Girl comes to the Alhambra Theatre as part of a major UK tour, a jukebox musical based on the music of The Drifters.
The story is told through the eyes of Faye Treadwell too her daughter (girl). Starting with how The Drifters began, how Faye then met George Treadwell fell in love and with his sad passing went on to fight for The Drifters name.
My Husband was brought up with The Drifters one of his dad’s al time favourite groups, where as I knew the songs but was totally not in the know that it was them that sung them or any of the story behind them. I felt slightly lost at first as I always thought The Drifters were just ‘The Drifters’ how wrong was I…. members drifted (no pun intended) in and out of the group, many of these formed other groups of Drifters, there were big names such as Ben E King?
They first found fame in the US but after the death of George, Faye bought out his partners and took control of The Drifters, but she was left fighting for The Drifters name, needing money to do this she left her daughter behind and travelled to the uk, where The Drifters went on to have their biggest success on the UK charts, meanwhile she won her legal battle and the rights to ‘The Drifters’ name.
From been seated the record is spinning and the music was playing getting you in the mood set.
The stage is created from a multitude of moving sliding black walls with a back wall cinema style screen changing to create the various stage settings, but what really makes the stage scenery is the awesome bright led strip lighting which is absolutely phenomenal in the way it is used to not only light up the stage but to be included as part of the stage settings.
This show was a show with the least cast I have ever seen, as it is performed with multi role actors. The transformations between the characters was very cleverly done.
The casting is as follows, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Faye Treadwell), she played Erma in Anything Goes to which she won The whatsOnStage Award 2022. Ashford Campbell (Ben E King, Rudy Lewis, and others) hit UK screens in ITV’s The X Factor as member of The Risk in 2011. Miles Anthony Daley (George Treadwell and others), participated in The Voice 2014. Tarik Frimpong (Clyde Mcphatter, Lover Patterson and others) played Angus in Mary Poppins Returns as well as starting in the new Little Mermaid. Dalton Harris (Johnny Moore, Gerhart Thrasher and others) won The X Factor in 2018 releasing the single ‘Cry’ which got over a million streams. Jaydah Bell-Ricketts (Girl) embarking on her first national tour.
All the actors performances, accents! singing and dancing was outstanding, the theatres orchestra was as always on top form.
The Drifters Girl soon has you foot tapping and singing along to the well known soundtracks such as Save The Last Dance For Me, Under The Boardwalk, Kissing In The Back Row Of The Movies, Stand By Me, Come On Over To My Place, Saturday Night At The Movies and many more.
The show was like watching them in concert, all the singing and dancing was absolutely fantastic, the slipped in comedy had you laughing out loud, we had a brilliant night full of fun, laughter, sorrow and happiness.
The Alhambra is a traditional theatre, the main theatre building is modern with bright lights which not only look fabulous but makes the building easy to find.
On the ground floor there is a ticket kiosk and a kiosk for purchasing soft drinks and sweets. On the first floor there is an impressive bar/cafe area, also a merchandise kiosk. The staff were welcoming and helpful.
The venue has disabled parking onsite to the left of the buildings, there are groundwork’s going on in the car park area at the moment so you have to use the no entry exit to enter and park up, there were stewards around to direct you.
There are plenty of carparks within a couple of minutes walking distance from the venue, Sharpe Street car park is just up the hill from the Alhambra, If using any of the NCP car parks if you inform the ticket office on arrival they give you an additional parking ticket to enable a discount on your parking fee.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £21.00 to £50.00 (booking fees may apply).
The Drifters Girl at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford from 03 – 07 October 2023, for more information or to book tickets visit www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01274 432000.
https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-drifters-girl