The Drifters Girl continues at the Garrick Theatre, London until 15 October 2022.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
It’s not an easy task to follow in the footsteps of national treasure Beverley Knight but Broadway star (and Emmy Award winner and Grammy Award nominee) Felicia Boswell makes a fine West End debut as legendary manager of The Drifters, Faye Treadwell.
Taking on such a substantial role in an already established production across the ocean from home might be daunting for even the most experienced of performers (Boswell’s credits include Motown The Musical, Shuffle Along and Memphis), but when the focus is on such a small ensemble as it is in The Drifters Girl, it’s an altogether different affair.
Fortunately, it looks like Boswell has settled in splendidly, finding the right kind of chemistry with her stunning co-stars Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud who portray the iconic Drifters as well as a whole host of other roles.
It’s quite something to be able to bounce off all these different personas so well, keep the core narrative flowing (with ‘Girl’/Faye’s daughter on this occasion played by the engaging Savanna Musoni) and build up to some high-emotion musical numbers too. Boswell makes this all look easy.
Though the amount of exposition in the libretto can occasionally get in the way of the drama being played out, it is hard not to be moved when Faye’s husband George (Adam J Bernard), with whom she managed The Drifters, dies so suddenly, or when she is forced to leave her daughter in order to take the band to perform in London and tour around the UK.
During what is an incredibly fast-paced show, directed by Jonathan Church, packed with many memorable numbers from The Drifters’ back catalogue, it is breath-taking to witness Bernard, Callender, Henry and Wanogho-Maud shift from one character to another, never missing a vocal cue or a step of Karen Bruce’s sophisticated choreography. These performers are a force to be reckoned with in all departments.
Henry can effortlessly switch from leading band member to the music industry figure threatening to put an end to Faye’s dreams for The Drifters (and did I spot a Bruce Forsyth cameo too?). Callender proves to be a smooth operator and powerful presence whenever he is onstage (roles include Johnny Moore and Gerhart Thrasher), while Wanogho-Maud entertains us with off the charts vocals as Ben E. King and touches our hearts with his portrayal of troubled artist Rudy Lewis. Bernard makes a big impression, not least in his believable relationship with Boswell and during the emotional scenes when he recalls their time together (‘There Goes My Baby’).
This is a visually powerful production: Anthony Ward’s sliding panel set with its mesmerising shapes and neon beams is complemented by Andrzej Goulding’s video design, Ben Cracknell’s atmospheric lighting and the work of Tom Marshall on sound. And Fay Fullerton’s costumes definitely deserve a special mention. Chris Egan’s orchestrations are brought to life by a fine orchestra led by musical director Will Stuart.
There’s not long left now to see The Drifters Girl. It’s such a clever concept, brilliantly delivered by an amazingly talented cast, which will pull on your heartstrings and have you revelling in some the best pop tunes ever written. What more can you ask for?
Lisa Martland
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