Sunny Afternoon - Milton Keynes Theatre

Sunny Afternoon musical is the story of The Kinks and this show has really got me!

The show tells the story of two brothers, Ray and Dave.  Two very different personalities and yet despite sibling rivalry they show compassion and support for each other when the other one needs it.

Ray played by Danny Horn is outstanding in the role, delivering a conscientious and emotionally withdrawn Ray off stage but in front of an audience he is as wild as his brother. You can’t help but fall in love with him. I loved the texture of his singing voice too.  His brother Dave is played by Oliver Hoare.  Dave is a rowdy loud drunk teenager who indulges with everything he can get his hands on.  A polar opposite to Ray. Oliver plays him beautifully and gets a lot of the best lines in the show as he also gives some great comedic quips such as ‘Keith Moon drove a brand new car into his swimming pool, what have you done lately?’  Oliver’s portrayal of Dave, including a lot of feminine outfits must have been an influence on Harry Styles (along with Bowie of course).  Dave was ‘a dedicated follower of fashion!’  At the end when I was dancing in the aisles, Oliver came down to me and played his guitar, I felt like those teenagers must have felt screaming at the band.  Excitement, flattery and chuffed he chose me.  It truly made my night!

The two brothers add a drummer and a guitarist to the band and really find their raw energy.  Pete is a guitarist and is Ray’s best friend from school.  Played by Harry Curley.  He really wants to fit in and is an all-round nice guy.  Mick is the drummer is played by Zakarie Stokes and he and Dave have a hate/hate relationship.  It does make the band turbulent at times but as most bands would say – that’s just how it is.  Ray falls for Rasa who is played by Lisa Wright and what a voice of an angel she has.  Ray and Rasa marry hastily as Rasa falls pregnant and is a strict catholic. But she is left with the baby while The Kinks try to break America.

As someone who wasn’t born when The Kinks were famous, I was educated to learn that Stop Your Sobbing and I Go To Sleep were by The Kinks and NOT by The Pretenders.  That Days by Kirsty MacColl was originally a Kinks song.  The show features all the big hits including You Really Got Me, All Day And All Of The Night, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower Of Fashion, Lola and of course Sunny Afternoon.

What makes this show brilliant is the atmosphere. It feels like you have been transported back to the 1960’s. The excitement of being young, the fun and frolics of being in a band and of course the fashions.  The whole ensemble are exceptional. Some of the best casting I have ever seen.  But at the heart of this show is the music. Even if you can only name a couple of Kinks songs you will enjoy this show. It has feel-good stamped all over it.

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There is no doubt that Ray Davies was a musical genius and the music of The Kinks stand the test of time.  And throwing knickers on stage is totally optional!

Sunny Afternoon is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 28 March.