Million Dollar Quartet at the Bristol Hippodrome - Review

Posted on: 2016-11-30

Our rating:

One of the things that made this production just perfect was its mix between music and acting and the smooth interaction between the entire cast. No one in the audience wanted it to end and everyone was on their feet for the encore.


Bristol got a taste of rock' n' roll history on Monday 28th November when 'Million Dollar Quartet', starring Jason Donovan, started its six day run at the Hippodrome. There until Saturday December 3rd, it certainly demands your attention.

**GET YOUR TICKETS HERE**

Million Dollar Quartet at the Bristol Hippodrome - Review

And what a memorable, fantastically entertaining show it was! The packed audience were delighted from the minute it all started as we were treated to 'Blue Suede Shoes' and got to meet Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley one by one as the spotlight shined on each of these stars.

 

I might not have been around in the 50s when rock' n'roll music was reigning supreme in the charts but i can appreciate amazing music when i hear it. Also having grown up with my parents playing this sort of music at me from a young age, meant i was obsessed with the 50s sound and then have always gone on to feel like I was born too late.

Million Dollar Quartet at the Bristol Hippodrome

This is a true story and when everyone first got seated for the show, there was a screen on stage which explained what was about to unfold as it said 'On Dec 4, 1956, one man brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley to play together for the first and only time. His name was Sam Phillips, the place was Sun records. That night they made rock' n' roll history.'

 

Sam Phillips was played by the talented Jason Donovan who had his regional American accent nailed. He had a great persona on the stage and really stood out despite the fact that he wasn't performing musically like the rest of the cast.

 

All of the performers who played the four main musicians were exceptional in their skill of playing their instruments and to see Jerry Lee Lewis, who was Martin Kaye, play the piano with his foot and then behind his back was an unbelievable sight. He really stood out to me and had the biggest cheers of the night.

Million Dollar Quartet at the Bristol Hippodrome - Until Dec 3

That's not to say the other performers were not exceptional as well. Matthew Wycliffe, who was Carl Perkins, played his guitar behind the back of his head to the amazement of the audience and Ross William Wild, who was Elvis Presley, had as much swagger and hip action going on as the king himself.

 

The part of Johnny Cash was performed by Robbie Durham and his voice commanded your attention every time he sang. He was as sultry as you would imagine the great star would have been.

 

The show was full of all of the hits that you would expect, such as 'Folsom Prison Blues', 'Hound Dog' and 'Great Balls of Fire' and it was also comical in many places and had the crowd roaring with laughter.

Million Dollar Quartet

We found out how all of the performers, except for Jerry Lee Lewis, decided to leave Sun records for pastures new and the disappointment of Sam Phillips is painfully obvious. But it doesn't end bad and the show comes to an upbeat and sensible conclusion.

 

One of the things that made this production just perfect was its mix between music and acting and the smooth interaction between the entire cast. No one in the audience wanted it to end and everyone was on their feet as we got an impressive in your face encore.

 

I would recommend this show to anyone who loves music. You would not be disappointed and that's a promise.

5/5



Article by:

Kelly Jobanputra

Kelly worked as a journalist for the BBC for 12 years before she changed careers and went into the field of marketing. Having worked at BBC 6 Music for several years, she is passionate about many different genres of sound. Her other interests include theatre, comedy, books, food and days out with the family (she has a young daughter who she describes as a "whirlwind of fun.") Kelly is married to Vik who is a true Bristolian to the core! She is also studying nutritional therapy.