This show has been in London's West End for just over six years, and yet I haven't seen it before now. It a show I've always wanted to see, though I've always found excuses not to go or other shows that were more apealing to me. I'm not the biggest fan of The Four Seasons, though I think as is the case with most people there sings agave seeped into my music subconscious, so the music wasn't really something that was drawing me to the show. To be honest, I don't know what was. The show has been seen by over 9 million people worldwide and has won 55 awards. It's also just been made into a feature film, directed by Clint Eastwood, so clearly it's doing something right.
The show has been in just two theatres while in the West End and now resides in The Piccadilly Theatre. It's original home was The Prince Edward Theatre, where Miss Saigon now resides (read my review of that here). I feel The Piccadilly is a much more suitable venue for this production with a much more intimate feel and, in my opinion, a better seating arrangement. Yes, like the majority of London's theatres the seats are aranged the same, with those in the stalls in straight lines and those in the upper balconies in a slight semi-circle, however the angle at which the seats are positioned and the closeness to the stage creates an almost perfect view from any seat. If you are right at the back of the stalls on the upper balcony then some of your view may be blocked, but no more than one would expect.
I've only been in The Picadilly Theatre twice before. Once for the Spice Girls Musical Viva Forever (you can read my review of that here) and then I believe back in 2008 for Grease. The theatre is set back from the main hustle and vastly of Picadilly Circus, on the corner of Denman Street and Sherman Street. There are some lovely places to eat right opposite the theatres entrance, including a Zédel Brasserie and a Jamie's Italian. At the end of Denman Street there is also the Rainforest Café, which is a theatrical experience in itself and well worth at least one visit in your life, especially if you have children with you. With all these options your garnered a good pre-show experience.
Like most of my theatre going experiences I had a seat in the Royal Circle. In the circle's foyer/bar there was a live piano player, something I've never come across before (not that I can remember at the moment anyway). He was playing a good mixture of theatre and non theatre songs/music. It really added to the experience, and made me almost nt mide waiting to be let into the auditorium. The moment you are let in, you eyes are met with a plethora of dark reds and greens, gold and a little white. The audience consisted mainly of older people and women, though there were a few families and couples that appeared to be on dates. The size of the theatre it good. Your not overwhelmed by the size but it also doesn't feel intemit. It's hard to say if it's previous home, the Prince Edward Theatre, would have suited the show more, but this space certainly suits it almost perfectly. The seats are wonderfully comfortable with a reasonable abount of leg room. This is helped by the steep angle of the seating which also means there is very little chance of your view being blocked.
With most West End production, when you walk in to take your seat the stage curtains are open and you can see the setti for the first scene. With this shoe, you can imeditely tell the lighting is going to be brilliant and lighting director Howell Binkley certainly doesn't disappoint. The staging is also superb and costuming is great. The cast are also sublinpme. The four main men, Michael Watson, Edd Post, Jon Boydon and Matt Nalton, don't bare a great resemblance to the original Four Seasons, but there voices are something else. They sound like they are meant to be together, an actual band and friends on and off stage with voices that when singing in harmony sound like one. The casting team can only be commended on their brilliant choices. The sets are also changed seamlessly, and what appears to be effortlessly though I'm sure that's a misjudgement on my part.
This show has been very successful, wining over 55 awards, and it's been seen by over 9 million people worldwide. But why so popular? I don't believe it's to do with quality as, to be honest, I've seen other shows that have been far better. I think it's because it's different. In the same way that Les Mis broke boundaries for musical theatre I think so to does this show. Although, one only has to know the story of The Lord Of The Rings Musical to know that being different or unusual in musical theatre isn't always a good thing. The actors talk to the audience as a way of narration, which is something I've never come across in musical theatre. There have been one of to plays that have done the, most recently Handbagged, but I've never really seen it in musical theatre. It's interesting having information given about the band and it's history throughout the show as well as listening to their music. Unlike Will Rock You, the Queen musical, the story hasn't been built around the music to try and create some sort of a plot. The music IS the story.
All I can say, in conclusion, is that I'm just sorry I left it this long to see. Although I don't think it will be in the west end as long or as successfully as Les Mis, I am sure it will be in the West End and around the world ,for a long time to come. Definitely a show that should be seen, even if like me your not familiar with the group. Tickets and Info
