Theatre Review: Jersey Boys - Theatre Royal, Glasgow ✭✭✭✭

The glittering opening of Jersey Boys took place at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow last night to a rapturous reception from the audience who had braved apocalyptic rain to be there.

The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Season, Jersey Boys grabs the audience’s attention with a bass-thumping rap version of C’est Soiree La (Oh what a night!) before going back in time to the origins of the group in New Jersey.

The history of the group is undoubtedly complicated, with a mafia twist, and it is cleverly told from the perspective of all four of the original Four Seasons – Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy De Vito and Nick Massi. While engaging, the story plays second fiddle to that unmistakable sound, unique harmony and catchy tunes that propelled the Four Seasons into superstardom. 

Compelling performances by Matt Corner (Frankie Valli), Sam Ferriday (Bob Gaudio), Lewis Griffiths (Nick Massi) and Stephen Webb (Tommy DeVito) bring the young Four Seasons to life with flair, and show stopping voices. The early hits are enjoyable but the quartet’s faultless vocals burst through the theatre with the distinctive opening of Sherry and the runaway train of hits doesn’t stop after that, sparking a few sing-alongs in the audience!

The compact set design is efficiently used with various concert scenes, including a positively blinding moment towards the end of Act One, and creatively produced TV studio segments taking centre stage.

It would be easy to dismiss the Jersey Boys as another jukebox musical and the piece does rely heavily on the concert segments where Corner shines as Valli with soaring vocals that emulate Valli’s style perfectly. However, it has heart in the reality of the hardships the group had to overcome to achieve their phenomenal success and there is no doubt that the Four Seasons fought hard for their deserved place in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

A global hit, it’s unquestionable why the Jersey Boys is internationally acclaimed so head to the Theatre Royal this Christmas and oh what a night you’ll have!

Jersey Boys is at the Theatre Royal until 3rd January 2016. For tickets and information visit ATG Tickets.