“The Drifters Girl” is a musical based on the true story of Faye Treadwell (born Fayrene Lavern Johnson), who took charge of the American vocal group “The Drifters” – a doo-wop R&B and soul group that rose to fame during the 1960s – after her husband’s death, navigating the challenges of managing their careers amidst personal struggles and barriers within the music industry.
While initially, the show might come across as a fascinating tale of legal battles over the rights to The Drifters’ name and its many derivations, including ‘The Original Drifters’, ‘The New Drifters’, and ‘The American Drifters’, and the protracted dramas over who owned the group, the real story is of Faye’s determination, resilience, and love for “The Drifters” and her drive to overcome obstacles and ensure the group’s success, ultimately making a lasting impact on their legacy.
It’s also the story of the relationship between Faye and George Treadwell, who was initially the manager of “The Drifters”. While George himself might not have been a central character in the musical, his passing served as a pivotal moment in the narrative, and his legacy and the impact of his absence on Faye’s life and career are significant aspects of the storyline. For example, as the owner of “The Drifters” franchise, George could hire and fire the singers in the group who were considered employees.
We first meet Faye (Carly Mercedes Dyer) when George (Miles Anthony Daley), then the sole manager of the group, offers her to become a co-manager of “The Drifters”. Later, she becomes his wife and eventually sole manager of the group after buying out his partners following his death in 1967. Right from the get-go, the performance is a whirlwind of events and information, reflecting on Faye’s journey alongside her daughter, played by Jaydah Bell-Ricketts, and it moves at such a pace that some might find it a little bit overwhelming.
Carly delivered a captivating performance as she embodied the role of Faye. With her commanding stage presence and nuanced portrayal, Carly effortlessly brought Faye to life with authenticity and depth that captured the essence of Faye’s resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to “The Drifters”. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast was equally palpable, contributing to the overall authenticity of the production.
Miles Anthony Daley, Ashford Campbell, Tarik Frimpong and Daniel Haswell took on various roles, from members of “The Drifters” themselves to industry executives and personal acquaintances of Faye – in all representing about twenty people on stage. Thankfully, with clever use of the set and props, these four seamlessly transitioned between characters and brought distinct personalities to life with finesse and skill – kudos to Anthony Ward (Set designer), Fay Fullerton (Costume Designer) and Andrzej Goulding (Video Designer) and the rest of the production team.
It’s a testament to their talent and hard work that they could embody such a diverse range of characters. Their versatility added a layer of dynamism to the storytelling and helped deliver a slick and entertaining production. And all this while delivering iconic hits from “The Drifters’” repertoire to serve as a backdrop to the story – immersing the audience in the sounds that defined the era and adding to the emotional resonance of the narrative.
Just about all the vocal performances in this show were exceptional, with powerful, soulful voices that did justice to the legendary songs of “The Drifters”. So, if by any chance you’re a fan of the music, you won’t be disappointed. The renditions of ‘Stand by Me’, ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’, ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’, ‘There Goes My First Love’, and ‘This Magic Moment’ are personal favourites.
But back to Faye.
The musical celebrates her strength and contributions as a pioneering woman in the music business. Despite countless setbacks and rejections, Faye refused to give up, paving the way for herself and future generations of women in the industry. As a woman, she’s not just managing “The Drifters”; she’s making history. Through her stories, “The Drifters Girl” celebrates the power of perseverance and the importance of breaking through barriers.
And did I say earlier that the show was a whirlwind of events and information? Well, as if navigating the music business in the 1970s wasn’t challenging enough, especially for a woman, the show also sheds some light on the racial discrimination Faye encounters as an African-American (read Black person) in the music business and society at large.
Throughout the story, Faye must contend with systemic racism and prejudice within the music industry as she faces scepticism and resistance from industry executives who are reluctant to take a chance on a black-led group despite their undeniable talent. Faye’s efforts to book venues and secure radio airplay were often met with reluctance or outright rejection, reflecting the pervasive racism of the era. There was also the racial discrimination Faye faced in the southern US states and in Britain during the “No Dogs, No Blacks, No Irish” era. Thankfully, though, these scenes only came in brief sketches.
Despite packing so much information into so little time, the show managed to deliver a compelling narrative and showcased the incredible talent of its cast, whose versatility is truly remarkable. So, if you’re looking for a compelling and uplifting theatrical experience, “The Drifters Girl” is definitely worth a consideration.
“The Drifters Girl” is on a New Theatre Oxford until Saturday 09 March.
The post The Drifters Girl review: Notes of tenacity in a compelling and uplifting performance appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
from The Oxford Magazine https://ift.tt/xaEuUTg
via IFTTT
Comments
Post a Comment