Memphis the Musical has just opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End, whilst I understand that Motown the Musical is due to arrive here in about 12 months time. Both are Broadway hits. I believe someone posted on here recently that a Stax musical has run in to problems over music rights.
I saw Memphis the Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre last night and can thoroughly recommend it. Set in the 1950s but with a very 1960s sounding score, Beverley Knight and the rest of the cast provide excellent performances, well executed choreography and plenty of energy. The plot is about love, racial tension and the music...I won't give any more away but some people in the audience were in tears despite the fact that the production's main charm is the music and dance.
On first hearing of this show I had originally presumed that there would be a splattering of Stax, Hi or maybe even Goldwax classics, then heard it was set in the 1950s but was then amazed that the score was so 1960s sounding. I was even more surprised to find out it was scored by Bon Jovi keyboard player David Bryan given the 1960s Soul/R&B feel it had, well done that man!
For those that are able to get to a London show or if you're planning a visit to London's West End......Memphis comes highly recommended.
Memphis the Musical has just opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End, whilst I understand that Motown the Musical is due to arrive here in about 12 months time. Both are Broadway hits. I believe someone posted on here recently that a Stax musical has run in to problems over music rights.
I saw Memphis the Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre last night and can thoroughly recommend it. Set in the 1950s but with a very 1960s sounding score, Beverley Knight and the rest of the cast provide excellent performances, well executed choreography and plenty of energy. The plot is about love, racial tension and the music...I won't give any more away but some people in the audience were in tears despite the fact that the production's main charm is the music and dance.
On first hearing of this show I had originally presumed that there would be a splattering of Stax, Hi or maybe even Goldwax classics, then heard it was set in the 1950s but was then amazed that the score was so 1960s sounding. I was even more surprised to find out it was scored by Bon Jovi keyboard player David Bryan given the 1960s Soul/R&B feel it had, well done that man!
For those that are able to get to a London show or if you're planning a visit to London's West End......Memphis comes highly recommended.
https://www.memphisthemusical.com/default.asp