REVIEW
✭✭✭☆☆ 3/5
THE DRIFTERS GIRL
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Wed 8 - Sat 11 Nov 2023
2.30pm, 7.30pm
✭✭✭☆☆ 3/5
THE DRIFTERS GIRL
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Wed 8 - Sat 11 Nov 2023
2.30pm, 7.30pm
The Drifters Girl comes to Southend this week and tells the story of Faye Treadwell, who managed The Drifters at a time when women, not least black women, were certainly not considered for work any higher than secretarial status. This musical, replays the history of how The Drifters became more brand than band and highlights the struggle, tenacity and sheer bloody-mindedness of the amazing woman who fought against the odds to find them success as their manager.
The story is told as a retrospective with Faye telling her daughter the story of how The Drifters came to be. There can’t be too many people over the age of probably 40-50 years old who haven’t heard of The Drifters and the Southend audience on press night reflected that dynamic, all ready to reminisce over some of the classic songs and ballads that the group produced over the years.
You’re More Than a Number in My Little Red Book, Come on Over to My Place, Save the Last Dance for Me and Saturday Night at the Movies are probably some of the most popular songs that spring to mind when you think of The Drifters’ music and, as the show begins, we are instantly introduced to each member of the band, leading into a knock out medley of Hello, Happiness, Kissin’ in the Backrow of the Movies and There Goes My First Love which instantly raises expectations for the rest of the show.
It’s become a bit of a running joke on the music touring scene that, with a lot of the old bands, there is often only one original band member in the group and can they really call themselves the original name if that’s the case? The Drifters undeniably come under that category but Faye’s defence and mantra is that, in her opinion, the New York Yankees are always going to be called the New York Yankees, regardless of whoever is playing for them, and the same goes for The Drifters. Faye’s ultimate battle is to keep The Drifters as a band, despite the varying band members. It’s pretty hard to keep up. There are many.
With this in mind, the storyline is then made overly confusing by using the actors playing The Drifters, to play other characters throughout the performance. While I wouldn’t want to take away any credit of the skill and talent required to do this from the exceptional actors playing these roles, you do have to wonder if this method really works effectively for an audience, who need to go into hyper concentration mode to try and keep up with each character change.
It’s a clever idea and the cynic in me could argue that it’s probably saved the producers a few quid in hiring more performers but on the other hand, when half the characters are only involved for the briefest of moments, then it does kind of make sense to utilise the core cast.
It’s a great story of overcoming adversities and one I expect many fans of the band in the UK probably wouldn’t have known about, as we learn how Faye overcomes sexism in the workplace and with the band coming up against army call ups, drug abuse and racism.
Leading lady, Carly Mercedes Dyer, wasn’t performing on press night and so the part of Faye Treadwell was played by cover, Loren Anderson taking over admirably in a tough role.
With a storyline that’s so convoluted, it’s tricky trying to keep up and stay connected but thankfully, in between all the band member changes and drama that unfolds throughout this production, we are treated to some truly uplifting and wonderful music.
Miles Anthony Daley, Ashford Campbell, Tarik Frimpong and (cover on Wed night) Daniel Haswell, all give outstanding performances. What they have been asked to do and what they do on stage is nothing short of exceptional as they show off some gorgeous vocals alongside great performances, whilst relentlessly morphing into each character; sometimes as lightning speed. However, it’s when they are performing as The Drifters, with those smooth dance moves and silky soulful sounds that harmonise throughout the auditorium, that you feel the audience are really getting what they want.
Act 2 has more redeeming qualities and there’s a great skit with the band Peter, Paul and Mary that will have you chuckling away and There Goes My Baby wonderfully sung by Miles Anthony Daley as George, is a particular highlight.
The staging and lighting by Anthony Ward and Ben Cracknell work brilliantly and are perfect for the genre - I loved the London Palladium moment - and Faye Fullerton’s costume designs look glorious on stage, MD, Dustin Conrad, also does a great job conducting the 7 piece band.
This show is saved by the music and if that’s what you’ve come to hear then you won’t be disappointed as there are no less than 25 songs throughout. However, it is let down by a narrative and direction that ultimately leaves you unable to invest in the characters and storyline. At the end of the show when Faye is in court attempting to win the rights to the name of the band, someone says, “I don’t follow, Mrs Treadwell”. That pretty much sums it up.
Review: Kim Tobin
The story is told as a retrospective with Faye telling her daughter the story of how The Drifters came to be. There can’t be too many people over the age of probably 40-50 years old who haven’t heard of The Drifters and the Southend audience on press night reflected that dynamic, all ready to reminisce over some of the classic songs and ballads that the group produced over the years.
You’re More Than a Number in My Little Red Book, Come on Over to My Place, Save the Last Dance for Me and Saturday Night at the Movies are probably some of the most popular songs that spring to mind when you think of The Drifters’ music and, as the show begins, we are instantly introduced to each member of the band, leading into a knock out medley of Hello, Happiness, Kissin’ in the Backrow of the Movies and There Goes My First Love which instantly raises expectations for the rest of the show.
It’s become a bit of a running joke on the music touring scene that, with a lot of the old bands, there is often only one original band member in the group and can they really call themselves the original name if that’s the case? The Drifters undeniably come under that category but Faye’s defence and mantra is that, in her opinion, the New York Yankees are always going to be called the New York Yankees, regardless of whoever is playing for them, and the same goes for The Drifters. Faye’s ultimate battle is to keep The Drifters as a band, despite the varying band members. It’s pretty hard to keep up. There are many.
With this in mind, the storyline is then made overly confusing by using the actors playing The Drifters, to play other characters throughout the performance. While I wouldn’t want to take away any credit of the skill and talent required to do this from the exceptional actors playing these roles, you do have to wonder if this method really works effectively for an audience, who need to go into hyper concentration mode to try and keep up with each character change.
It’s a clever idea and the cynic in me could argue that it’s probably saved the producers a few quid in hiring more performers but on the other hand, when half the characters are only involved for the briefest of moments, then it does kind of make sense to utilise the core cast.
It’s a great story of overcoming adversities and one I expect many fans of the band in the UK probably wouldn’t have known about, as we learn how Faye overcomes sexism in the workplace and with the band coming up against army call ups, drug abuse and racism.
Leading lady, Carly Mercedes Dyer, wasn’t performing on press night and so the part of Faye Treadwell was played by cover, Loren Anderson taking over admirably in a tough role.
With a storyline that’s so convoluted, it’s tricky trying to keep up and stay connected but thankfully, in between all the band member changes and drama that unfolds throughout this production, we are treated to some truly uplifting and wonderful music.
Miles Anthony Daley, Ashford Campbell, Tarik Frimpong and (cover on Wed night) Daniel Haswell, all give outstanding performances. What they have been asked to do and what they do on stage is nothing short of exceptional as they show off some gorgeous vocals alongside great performances, whilst relentlessly morphing into each character; sometimes as lightning speed. However, it’s when they are performing as The Drifters, with those smooth dance moves and silky soulful sounds that harmonise throughout the auditorium, that you feel the audience are really getting what they want.
Act 2 has more redeeming qualities and there’s a great skit with the band Peter, Paul and Mary that will have you chuckling away and There Goes My Baby wonderfully sung by Miles Anthony Daley as George, is a particular highlight.
The staging and lighting by Anthony Ward and Ben Cracknell work brilliantly and are perfect for the genre - I loved the London Palladium moment - and Faye Fullerton’s costume designs look glorious on stage, MD, Dustin Conrad, also does a great job conducting the 7 piece band.
This show is saved by the music and if that’s what you’ve come to hear then you won’t be disappointed as there are no less than 25 songs throughout. However, it is let down by a narrative and direction that ultimately leaves you unable to invest in the characters and storyline. At the end of the show when Faye is in court attempting to win the rights to the name of the band, someone says, “I don’t follow, Mrs Treadwell”. That pretty much sums it up.
Review: Kim Tobin
Direct from the West End, The Drifters Girl comes to the Cliffs Pavilion as part of a major UK tour.
Nominated for Best New Musical at the 2022 Olivier Awards, this smash-hit show has audiences on their feet night after night with a phenomenal soundtrack packed full of iconic Drifters hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, Save The Last Dance For Me and Stand By Me.
Discover the remarkable story of the Drifters and the truth about the woman who made them. From the highs of hit records to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters who refused to give up on the group she loved.
Thirty years, and hundreds of hit songs later, there is no doubt that Faye Treadwell was and always will be, The Drifters Girl.
Nominated for Best New Musical at the 2022 Olivier Awards, this smash-hit show has audiences on their feet night after night with a phenomenal soundtrack packed full of iconic Drifters hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, Save The Last Dance For Me and Stand By Me.
Discover the remarkable story of the Drifters and the truth about the woman who made them. From the highs of hit records to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters who refused to give up on the group she loved.
Thirty years, and hundreds of hit songs later, there is no doubt that Faye Treadwell was and always will be, The Drifters Girl.