Play On! – Review

Play On!: Lyric Hammersmith, London

1st February 2025

★★★★

Play On! is a Jazz musical based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”. Having started the run in September 2024, this is the final stop for the touring production and here it makes its London debut. The stylish take on Shakespeare’s classic follows Vy who is a talented songwriter, trying to make it big in the 1940’s Harlem scene. But will she be taken seriously in a man’s world?

All of the cast perform excellently in this new production. KoKo Alexandra is brilliant as the spoilt Lady Viv and her vocals are superb. Llewelyn Jamal is a smooth performer and his ‘drunken’ performance in the second act with Lifford Shillingford is fantastic. Cameron Bernard Jones manages to almost steal the show during the second act as the loveable Rev. For this performance Vy/Vyman was played by Jarnéia Richard-Noel who manages to showcase not only great vocals but a comedic flair and Earl Gregory’s rich voice is perfect for The Duke. All of the cast are brilliant in role with the ensemble members having their share of the limelight during the dance numbers and transitions.

The set costumes, designed by ULTZ, remain the same throughout. But the show is brought to life by the cast and energy that they bring. The show is a slow burn and story is fairly predictable, even if not acquainted with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, but it makes for an entertaining show. Whilst it isn’t the most thought provoking, it does allow for escapism and the script has some particularly comic moments which really compliment the characters. The score, by Duke Ellington with arrangements from Liam Godwin and Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, is varied and showcases the performers powerful vocals. Kenrick H2O Sandy’s jazz inspired choreography is upbeat and slick.

Play On! manages to bring a new twist to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. With superb vocals and some really funny moments, this is a show where audiences can sit back and lose themselves for a few hours.

Play On! Runs at the Lyric Hammersmith until the 22nd February 2025. For information and tickets click here.

Photo Credit: Ellie Kurttz