Play On is a jazz reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night set in 1940s Harlem. Vy is a talented songwriter looking to get her start in the music industry but soon finds it is a man’s world and she’s going to have to change to achieve her dream. With a convincing disguise Vy is soon entangled in the lives of major players of the Harlem music scene, the owner of the cotton club, world-famous songwriter The Duke and captivating songbird Lady Liv.
Play On is embarking on a UK Tour, finally being brought to the UK in a co-production between Talawa and various theatres and producers, after previous runs on Broadway.
This is a jukebox musical that relies on the timeless music of Duke Ellington, with over 20 of his songs featured in this show. The live jazz band is present on stage throughout the production and are essentially part of the ensemble. Their presence perfectly fits the vibe of this show, making the music feel full and rich. The first number was a fantastic introduction into the show, perfectly setting the scene.
The show was conceived by Sheldon Epps and this production was directed by Michael Buffong. The direction was done extremely well, it felt cohesive and lived in, like the audience was being transported to a swanky, gritty jazz bar through the vison of Buffong.
The feeling of being in a 1940s jazz club was also carried by the performances of the cast. The ensemble did an amazing job with the choreography which felt just right for the time period. Choreographer Kenrick H20 Sandy MBE blended Hip-hop style within a jazz framework and the fusion was seamless. At various points the ensemble all seem to be doing something slightly different while in sync which works so well for jazz.
The standout of this production is Lady Liv played by Koko Alexandra, her voice is a thing of beauty. With moments of silence and awe whenever she performed, her voice was like a siren’s call honing the attention of the audience.
Peals of laughter from the audience were present at almost any given point during the show. The comedic timing was done extremely well. Particularly from Llewellyn Jamal who played the womanizing uncle Jester, his physicality was incredibly impressive. The accent work by Earl Gregory who played the Duke was a high point, filling the audience with giggles.
The book was written by Cheryl L. West. The plot moves at a very fast pace, none of the plot point feel too drawn out but some things do feel prematurely cut off or not fully fleshed out. Despite the side plots being entertaining, they seem to take up most of the plot which makes the story feel unbalanced. There is not enough explanation about why the main couple are suddenly in love at the end of the story. A Shakespeare fan will recognise quotes from Twelfth night peppered through the show.
Although the costuming of the ensemble feels cohesive it is slightly incongruent to the costuming of the leads, it feels slightly too modern. The costuming of the leads felt much truer to the time period.
Overall, this show is definitely accessible for people who have never read or watched Shakespeare’s Twelfth night. This take on the classic story feels fresh and exciting. It has an emphasis on the music, so if you are a jazz lover then you’ll definitely be a fan of this fantastic show.
Play On is playing at the Lyric Hammersmith until 22nd February 2025. Tickets are available from: https://lyric.co.uk/
Reviewer: Zara Odetunde
Reviewed: 1st February 2025
North West End UK Rating: