Million Dollar Quartet
(Review Complete)
"A jam session packed with hits"
On December 4, 1956, a chance jam session between four musical legends, at Music Producer Sam Phillips’ Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, would go on to shape the future Rock ‘n’ Roll. Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley found themselves in the recording studio at the same time: what ensued was a night of electrifying music. A local newspaper reported this landmark event saying “this quartet could sell a million” and the name stuck.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET takes us into that legendary jam session for an unforgettable night of music, packed with 23 of the most defining hits of the era, including Blue Suede Shoes, Walk the Line, Fever, Great Balls of Fire, Sixteen Tons and Hound Dog. That night in Sam Phillips’ recording studio is largely undocumented, but the writers, Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, offer us a suggestion as to how the evening might have played out.
Jonathan O’Boyle’s direction keeps the story moving at pace. While the differing aspirations, concerns and tensions between the four musicians are revealed, they’re not developed. The show doesn’t offer a deep character analysis or explore the complexities of their relationships and there’s little biographical information: but that’s not the main driver - instead, this is all about the songs - a celebration of the exhilarating music produced. And the impressive talent displayed the actor/musicians taking on these four iconic roles is undeniable. Thankfully, they don’t seek to impersonate, but bring their own individuality to each role: Joey Bradick, Christopher Erasmus, Connor Payne and Joe Bence all capture the essence of Perkins, Cash, Presley and Lewis respectively, at varying stages of their careers. The real strength of the show is in their spirited, high-energy performances. Not only are they exceptionally accomplished musicians (with Joe Bence’s virtuoso piano playing being particularly exuberant) but the quality of their vocals and the richness of their harmonisations really comes through, especially in the acapella numbers.
Jenay Naima, playing Dyanne, Elvis Presley’s girlfriend, (based on Marilyn Evans) is charming and her vocals are sublime. Her rendition of Fever was captivating.
The line up of musicians is completed by Geraint Downing on bass and Josh Haberfield on drums, both of whom deliver stellar performances.
As Sam Phillips, Darren Day (in a non-singing role) is wholly engaging, showing a warmth towards his proteges and bringing a charismatic and paternal authority to proceedings. He both narrates events, talking directly to the audience and is part of the action, sometimes in flashback and sometimes in the moment of that memorable day.
The set (designed by Libby Watson) recreates the Sun Records recording studio, a former car parts store, with earth-toned walls adorned with framed gold discs. Alex Musgrave’s stunning lighting design both recreates the feel of the period and transports us to the atmosphere of a concert performance when the musicians step forward to the front of the stage.
Some of the featured songs hadn’t yet been released in 1956, but that doesn’t matter in a show that revels in Rock ‘n’ Roll, rather than in historically accurate storytelling. Plot and character development are incidental to the music in this show - and the music is superb, delivered faithfully and with contagious energy. By the rousing finale and encore, everyone has been drawn in to the irresistible force of this production.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET plays at The Arts at Marble Arch until 6 December 2026.
Reviewer: Alastair Woodgate.
Photography: C. Alex Tabrizi
We are Gifted tickets so that in return we may give an honest review. All comments are those of the reviewer and theirs alone.
