The Drifters Girl London reviews – what did the critics make of the West End production?

Reviews have dropped for the West End production of The Drifters Girl in London – what did the critics make of it?

Based on the iconic music of American vocal group The Drifters, The Drifters Girl began performances this week at the Garrick Theatre.

From the highs of hit records and sell out tours to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, The Drifters Girl charts the trailblazing efforts of the world’s first African American, female music manager and how she refused to ever give up on the group she loved. Thirty years, and hundreds of hit songs later, there is no doubt that Faye Treadwell was and always will be, The Drifters Girl

Beverley Knight leads the cast as Faye Treadwell, joined by Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Ben E King), Tarinn Callender (Johnny Moore), Adam J Bernard (George Treadwell) and Matt Henry (Clyde McPhatter).

The Drifters Girl London reviews

The Telegraph – 3/5
“Whatever your taste, a seductive nostalgia is stirred watching the sharp-suited, sure-footed and synchro-sashaying crooners in action (choreography, superb, by Karen Bruce).” – Read the full review

Daily Mail – 4/5
“Knight’s solo songs, delivered in her rich, gospel warble, tell of Faye’s struggles as an Arkansas country girl with an accent like a banjo twang trying to cut it in the Big Apple. ” – Read the full review

The Times- 3/5
“There’s so much to enjoy in this jukebox show, starring Beverley Knight, telling the story of one of pop’s longest-running institutions, the Drifters. The performances are excellent, and Jonathan Church’s direction is crisp and imaginative.” – Read the full review

London Evening Standard – 2/5
“Soul diva Beverley Knight and four male co-stars deliver barnstorming versions of a host of Drifters hits, from Money Honey to Under the Boardwalk, in this high-energy, admirably compact, but distinctly odd show.” – Read the full review

The Stage – 3/5
“It’s the performances that jerk tears, conjure smiles, make hearts swoon or ache – not the story. As a musical it flails, but every time the quartet layers up those coil-tight harmonies, or Knight lets rip, it’s heaven.” – Read the full review

The Guardian – 2/5
“For fans of the Drifters, the music in itself may be enough but for those coming to it fresh, this show’s story is neither compelling nor clear enough.” – Read the full review

The Drifters Girl plays Garrick Theatre, London currently booking through to 26 March 2022.

Book The Drifters Girl London tickets here »

The creative team is led by director Jonathan Church with a book by Ed Curtis and design by Anthony Ward.

The show has choreography by Karen Bruce, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall, video design by Andrzej Goulding, costume design by Fay Fullerton and music supervision and orchestrations by Chris Egan and musical director and arrangements by Will Stuart.