Developed at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival under the name ‘Who Do Ya Love?’ GET DOWN TONIGHT – the story of KC and the Sunshine Band is now playing at London’s Charing Cross Theatre.
I don’t think I have ever felt more conflicted when writing a review about a show but Get Down Tonight really tore me apart, trying to decide how to rate it.
KC and The Sunshine Band were one of the biggest bands of the 1970’s and have sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Get Down Tonight follows the early years of singer Harry Wayne Casey (KC and The Sunshine Band), responsible for inventing the disco music genre.
Set against the backdrop of 1970s Miami, it highlights the friendships, relationships, love and music that brought a whole generation together.
Packed with over 20 of the band’s hits, including ‘Give It Up’, ‘That’s The Way (I Like It)’, and ‘Get Down Tonight’, the unmistakable ‘Sunshine Sound’ that KC created is an infectious blend of Disco, Funk and R&B.
Get Down Tonight attracts a specific generation of people, who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s, listening to this kind of music (of which I actually knew a lot more of than I thought I would).
For the first fifteen minutes of the show, people were chatting to each other like they were watching a film, with no concept of theatre etiquette. But by the end, you could have heard a pin drop. The show did exactly what any good show should do and pulled the audience into the story and by the end had everyone transfixed.
The story is terribly dull and the constant references to ‘making a musical’ are tiresome and cringeworthy. Is this a musical about a 70’s pop band or a lesson in ‘how to write a musical’? The show can’t seem to decide.
Then there is the choreography which looks like it has been lifted from a ‘Choreography For Dummies’ textbook. But is also perfectly in keeping with the 70’s era (as are the brilliantly flamboyant costumes).
The cast of just eight people (4 leading characters and 4 ensemble) bring the show to life and make it feel bigger than it actually is.
Ross Harmon portrays the real-life Harry Wayne Casey (KC) alongside Adam Taylor as Orly. Paige Fenlon as Dee and Annabelle Terry as Gina return to the cast after the Edinburgh Festival Fringe run.
The hardworking ensemble members include Aaron Archer, Eve Drysdale, Rachael Kendall Brown and Finley Oliver.
Ticket prices for Get Down Tonight
The Charing Cross Theatre is an off-west end venue and I was disgusted to see that top price tickets for this show are £73.00 each. Yes, there are many cheaper seats (from £23.00) but what is happening to the theatre industry when prices are this high? I didn’t even pay that much for a ticket to see Cynthia Erivo in Dracula next year! I certainly hope the cast are being paid more than minimum wage for this production, given these extravagant ticket prices.
Is Get Down Tonight a musical worth seeing?
Is it good? No. It’s pretty cringe and the script is diabolical. But did everyone in the audience live their best life while watching it? Absolutely!
If the music doesn’t interest you then don’t go to see it. But if it does, you’ll have the greatest time (just don’t pay anywhere near top price).
I’m a little embarrassed to say it but I would happily watch it again! We are allowed a guilty pleasure every now and then aren’t we? I saw Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella seventeen times!
★★★
West End Wilma
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