Ain’t Too Proud, The Life And Times Of The Temptations At the Prince Edward Theatre Review

Reviewed by Joanna Woodburn

The smash hit Broadway show, Ain’t Too Proud, is proudly opening at the Prince Edward Theatre in the London’s West End. Created by playwright, Dominique Morisseau and based on Otis Williams’ autobiographical memoirs of iconic Temptations group, penned by Patricia Rowmanowski, this award winning jukebox musical uses the music and movement to tell the tale in spectacular fashion. Full of amazing hits, perfectly in sych dynamic dancing and flash outfits, the show is a real feast of fantastic entertainment for all generations!

Right from the very start, the audience is taken on a tremendously fast paced, high energy journey through the life of the group. From the gathering of the legendary Temptations way back in 1960, their spectacular meteoric rise to fame, the challenges of staying together against the pressures of stardom, moments of terrible grief and tragedy and takes the audience incredibly through to present day. The journey is rapid and unified, the pace perfectly matching the great highs and lows of the entertainment rollercoaster.

Gifted with an incredibly rich catalogue of the greatest R&B hits and number one hits, including My Girl, Get Ready, Papa was a Rolling Stone, the belting numbers and remarkable talent on stage are a winning combination. Sergio Trujillo’s Tony-winning choreography is full of the Temptations signature moves, beautifully synched and as fresh today as ever. With great energy and pace, the songs and slick routines keep on coming, propelling the story forward as well as giving moments for the audience to just kick back and enjoy.

All of this is brilliantly performed against a glossy and slick backdrop which perfectly reflects the shine of stardom in the Temptations’ story. The very talented cast give convincing, fully committed performances. Sifiso Mazibuko is brilliantly compelling as Otis Williams. Mazibuko uses his sonorous voice to connect and warmly weave through the story and evoke a great range of emotions, from the depths of tragedy to moments of hope. Cameron Bernard Jones as Melvin Franklin and Kyle Cox as Paul Williams both give outstanding, charismatic and confident performances. They are highly supported with note perfect performances from Tosh Wanogho-Maud as David Ruffin and Mitchell Zhangazha as Eddie Kendricks. The extraordinary depth of the vocals throughout the show is just breath taking! The rest of the cast are stunning, effortlessly belting out perfect vocals and harmonies whilst energetically dancing perfectly in synch – just wow!

This jukebox musical has a unique, timeless quality and will appeal across the generations – there is so much to enjoy. Huge congratulations to the cast and crew – the standing ovation at the end of the show was richly deserved. ‘Get ready’! For the perfect must-see 24 carat gold disc of a show – Ain’t Too Proud, The Life and Times of the Temptations is in town!

Rating: 5/5.

Tickets cost from £25.00. Ain’t Too Proud is at The Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS, booking until 1st October 2023, for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.princeedwardtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/aint-too-proud#about-the-show