Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
The story of London-based band The Kinks is thrillingly brought to life in the jukebox musical Sunny Afternoon.
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| Danny Horn, Oliver Hoare, Zakarie Stokes and Harry Curley. Photo by Manuel Harlan |
The award-winning musical follows Ray (Danny Horn), his younger brother Dave (Oliver Hoare), drummer Mick Avory (Zakairie Stokes) and bassist Peter Quaife (Harry Curley) through their rise to stardom.
The show follows their humble Muswell Hill beginnings in the 1960s as they fight the establishment and themselves. Ray quickly takes on adulting responsibilities after his partner, Rasa (Lisa Wright), falls pregnant. Dave's youthful exuberance comes to the fore as he struggles with the fame game and goes off the rails.
The second act focuses initially on a trip to the USA, which sees the band nearly capitulate, with events seeing them banned from the country. As the band return to England, fractured and broken, Ray battles depression whilst everything else seemingly implodes before things burst back to life and the band roar to success and return to the USA to play Maddison Square Gardens in a barnstorming finale.
Their music is undoubtedly the star here and is played live by the company. It’s thrilling to be wrapped in this rock and roll sound. Be warned, this certainly isn’t a quiet show! At times, the music vibrates your very core. The sheer skill that the actor-musician company has really adds to the experience.
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| Photo by Manuel Harlan. |
There are some magnificent stand-out musical moments, the titular song is joyous as England celebrate their World Cup win over West Germany, Waterloo Sunset is beautifully brought to life as you see the process of the song coming together before it really takes off, and Lola is a barnstorming finale that sends the audience out on a real high. There’s a gorgeous acapella rendition of Days that is a real showstopping moment.
Danny Horn embodies Ray as a brooding musical genius. Horn captures the essence of doubt and despair while simultaneously showcasing Ray's unparalleled ability to conjure melodies from his imagination. His perfectionism drives him to ensure each note makes it to vinyl, a pursuit that feels both noble and torturous. It's such a captivating performance. You are right in the soul of Ray Davies with Horn's performance.
Oliver Hoare brings Dave to life with a blend of whimsical charm and insecurities, which makes for a tremendous contrast with his introspective brother. Dave's character leans more into the wild side of rock and roll, prioritising spontaneous escapades and the allure of new romances. His antics, which even include a moment of swinging from a chandelier, highlight the exhilarating yet chaotic lifestyle that often accompanies artistic brilliance.
The supporting cast, including bassist Peter Quaife, portrayed by Harry Curley, struggles with the rigours of life on the road, while drummer Mick Avory, played by Zakarie Stokes, often finds himself sidelined. Stokes does get a terrific drum solo section that wows the audience.
Ray's wife, Rasa, played by Lisa Wright, is left literally and figuratively holding the baby. The story touches on the ruthless nature of the music industry, as bumbling managers Robert Wace (Joseph Richardson) and Grenville Collins (Tam Williams), though they come off as more misguided than villainous. Both are excellent performers.
Miriam Buether's impressive staging and period-fitting costumes really bring to life the 60s vibe. The female characters, in particular, get some striking outfits. Rick Fisher's lighting adds a rainbow array of light, which comes to the fore in the more concert-staged numbers, particularly Sunny Afternoon itself. Matt McKenzie's sound design just about balances the pure loudness and the softer moments. This is a LOUD production.
This production captures the essence of its characters while reminding us of the price of creativity and the complexities behind the music we cherish. It's a fantastic window into the genius mind of Ray Davies and the rise of this phenomenal band. Whether you're a Kinks fan or a first-timer, I guarantee you'll be listening to their music on the way home. Truly electric live theatre and in my opinion the best jukebox musical.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sunny Afternoon runs in Nottingham until Saturday 21st February 2026. Tickets are available from Sunny Afternoon | Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Sunny Afternoon tours with dates booking until Saturday 30th May 2026. For tour dates and venues, visit Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks Musical | UK TOUR 2025/2026
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| Danny Horn and Oliver Hoare. Photo by Manuel Harlan |
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