In late '56 four legends of Rock and Roll music had a boozy and slightly sentimental reunion at the ramshackle recording studio of the man who discovered them all. His name was Sam Phillips the American radio disc jockey who's Sun record label was at the centre of the late 50's music revolution. His "Million Dollar Quartet" were Elvis Presley (who he'd just sold to RCA records), Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and his newest signing the firebrand Jerry Lee Lewis, and it's that unique night this new show recreates.
 
Phillips (Bill Ward) realised that the power of black rhythm and blues music performed by white artists could open up a whole new era of teenage rebel music. Today with singers and bands of every imaginable type competing for our attention twenty four hours a day it's hard to imagine the seismic impact the sound of Elvis singing Blue Suede Shoes, or Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues made on American youth, but in Million Dollar Quartet you will feel the raw quality of the amazing noise they made. It's is satisfyingly loud too, and every note is played and sung live by the actors and a super tight drummer and upright bass player. Well he's upright most of the time...
 
This show stands or falls on the quality of the music (there's just enough story to give a point to the reunion) and this is where the magic happens. Each star is presented with authenticity and respect. Ben Goddard as Jerry Lee Lewis is particularly convincing as the crazy kid who gave us Great Balls of Fire, and I think he'll bust several piano's through the run of this show. Magic 105.4's sales director is an aficionado of country and rock 'n' roll music, and she gave a big thumbs up to Carl Perkins (Robert Britton Lyons) the only genuine American in the cast. Michael Malarkey as Elvis is sweetly humble around the guys, vowing never to play Las Vegas again after a disastrous booking there, and Derek Hagen is a charismatic and authentic sounding Man in Black. Elvis's girlfriend Dyanne (Francesca Jackson) adds some slinky 50's glamour to the nights proceedings.
 
It's one act (no interval) so please 'go' before curtain up, unlike the 70's glam rock icon sitting near me on the first night who obviously hadn't. For fans of rock and roll music and anyone who wants to learn more about that incredible era in music history Million Dollar Quartet is a rockin good night!

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