⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Proper feel-good, fun.”
When I saw Sunny Afternoon was coming to The Alexandra, I was more than a little chuffed. My late teens and early twenties were spent dancing away many evenings in the 60s/Mod room at Snobs – a popular Birmingham nightclub (for those who aren’t local) – and they were easily some of my best nights out.
So, seeing a musical filled with the songs from those nights was an absolute must.
And it was everything I wanted it to be. It’s funny, loud, and packed with sharp suits, miniskirts, and 60s swagger – but beneath the mod energy lies a tender story about the cost of creativity and fame.
The musical follows The Kinks’ climb: the early days of hope, the breakthrough, and then the strain of success. But more than that, it homes in on Ray Davies’ songwriting, his relationship with his brother Dave, and the undercurrent of class and identity that runs through their story. We all knew how famous they got, but until this evening, I didn’t know what it had cost and who they became in the process.
The music (unsurprisingly) is the hook, and it delivers. There are the big tunes you know (you’ll probably catch yourself tapping along and singing in your head), but there’s also quieter moments that make you pause and listen. It feels like a real band on stage. You can sense the sweat, hear the amp buzz, and feel the intensity.
The cast are brilliant. Danny Horn played Ray in this evenings production and has this lovely mix of confidence and quiet vulnerability. You really believe he’s carrying the weight of the world on those shoulders while still throwing out those iconic riffs. When he’s on the stage, he has the audience in the palm of his hand.
Then there’s Oliver Hoare as Dave, Ray’s younger brother, who’s pure energy from start to finish. He’s chaotic in the best way; grinning, jumping about, swinging from the chandelier (quite literally), and totally lost in the music. You can’t help but smile (almost) every time he’s on stage.
Lisa Wright, who plays Rasa, brings a completely different energy – soft and soulful. Her voice is stunning, and her scenes with husband Ray (Danny) have this lovely emotional pull that cuts through all the noise and chaos of fame.
Together, the whole cast and ensemble make a brilliant show. Songs like You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, and Lola feel huge, but the quieter numbers are the ones that sneak up on you – and I have now developed a few new favourites. This isn’t just a bunch of hits stitched together; it’s a story that breathes and moves with the music.
Sunny Afternoon will have you leaving with your foot tapping, a tune in your head, and maybe just a little reminder of why live music feels so special.
Available to watch at The Alexandra Birmingham until Saturday, 25 October 2025.
Book tickets here (available from £15): https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
Disclaimer: I was invited along to the press performance in return for an honest review.