★★★☆☆
Sunny Afternoon is an award-winning jukebox musical based on the lives and the songs of British rock band The Kinks. It began its first-ever UK tour at Opera House Manchester almost a decade ago and has now kicked off its second at the Palace!
Jukebox musicals are a dime a dozen. People are familiar with the songs and know that they’ll have a good time even if the show itself is not particularly good. On that front, Sunny Afternoon does the job. The iconic songs are boldly and lovingly recreated by a passionate cast led by Danny Horn and Oliver Hoare as Ray and Dave Davies, respectively.
Horn and Hoare previously played the roles on the West End and later the North American premiere earlier this year so it is no surprise that they are completely convincing as the Davies brothers and have a strong chemistry which makes the intense sibling relationship believable and relatable.
The core cast is rounded off with Harry Curley (Pete Quaife) and Zakarie Stokes (Mick Avory), who each get their time to shine, and we understand why their characters became frustrated about their places in the band – but they are very much secondary characters; it would have been nice to learn more about their characters and their backgrounds.
The entire cast – including original cast member Ben Caplan, who returns as Eddie Kasner – is strong. The costumes (and hair!) are period appropriate and fun, especially those worn by the women (and Dave!). The choreography is electric; it’s very 60s yet feels hip and theatrical.
The set design is attractive but not particularly innovative. The main set consists of shelves and speakers that enclose the action, referencing the loud sound of The Kinks but perhaps also the intensity of the music industry and the pressures of fame. There are plenty of set pieces and props.
In the second act, when the band goes to the USA, the set is cloaked in US flag-printed sheets. It’s incredibly on the nose; that is to say, it is obvious and unnecessary.
The production repeatedly has the cast in the aisles. Whilst it never feels necessary, it’s fun at first – if only because it’s unexpected – but it soon becomes tiresome and feels like a gimmick. It’s just doing too much in a show that does not need it. The intention might be to make the audience feel like they are at a gig but ultimately we are not; this is a biographical story.
That said, whilst The Kinks had some drama in their lives, I’m not sure they warranted a stage musical. The stakes never feel that high so it’s difficult to fully invest or care (especially if you are not particularly familiar with the band). The finale of Act 1 is shocking but Act 2 then jumps ahead and brushes off that incident with a joke.
Sunny Afternoon is by no means a bad show, especially for a jukebox musical. It’s entertaining and nostalgic. But it fails to stand out amongst so many others.
If you want to sit back and switch off to some sweet songs, splash your cash on Sunny Afternoon – but if you want to fully invest and immerse yourself into the rollercoaster life of a rockstar, wait for Tina.
Sunny Afternoon runs at Palace Theatre Manchester until October 18 2025 and tours the UK until May 30 2026.
Photo: Manuel Harlan
JADAR 