Sunny Afternoon
Sunny Afternoon
***Last chance to see! - The final performance will be on 29 October 2016***
Edward Hall’s Sunny Afternoon is a euphoric new take on the jukebox musical. Playwright Joe Penhall and the Kinks’ own Ray Davies have teamed up to create a show that manages to tell the story of Ray Davies and the Kinks with ecstatic energy whilst also capturing the defining moments of the 1960s.
It’s Ray Davies experiences as a Kinks member that is the focus of this musical, from his early life through to the Kinks rise to fame, and it is his music, including the iconic ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Lola’ and, of course, ‘Sunny Afternoon’, that is belted out with astonishing alacrity and joy. The Kinks were new and they were unusual, not just for their pioneering music and their lyrics of extraordinary narrative skill, but also because they were a British group and they weren’t from the north.
Penhall expertly interweaves story and song, highlighting all of the conflicts and scrimmages suffered by these four boys from Muswell Hill, from onstage fights to the Kinks being banned from the US. Designer Miriam Buether has fun with the 50s and 60s setting of Sunny Afternoon, immersing the audience in these tumultuous decades.
Part biography, part snapshot of an era and all music, Sunny Afternoon has now extended its booking period at West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre into 2015 due to popular demand.
‘The show the West End has been waiting for. Buy a ticket and go!’ Gay Times
‘A conveyor belt of raucous fun’ Daily Mail
‘The best British musical since Billy Elliot’ Mark Shenton, The Stage
- Duration
2 hours 45 minutes including one interval.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No Refunds or exchanges available.
- Where Do I Go
Harold Pinter Theatre,Panton Street,London,SW1Y 4DN
By Tube- Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Charing Cross
By Bus-14, 19, 24, 29, 38
Critic Reviews
The Telegraph
Jan 15, 2013
It is an irresistibly enjoyable and touching night, and anyone who loves pop music at its greatest would be mad to miss it.
Daily Mail
Jan 15, 2013
"After an indifferent year for new musical shows in London, here is a belter. Hampstead Theatre, run by Sir Peter Hall’s son Edward, has come up with a Joe Penhall bio-musical about The Kinks. Funny, stylish, well-performed, quirky — it has everything The Kinks had."
Reviews
Roger Power
Oct 25, 2016
Sunny Afternoon makes you leave the theatre with a real buzz and a joy in your heart. From the word go there is never a dull moment. Unfortunately it finishes this Saturday, so if you wish to see it, get your tickets quickly.
Simon
Oct 21, 2016
Love this show. It's the second time I have been and in the Harold Pinter theatre, there is a real charm about the whole experience. That, coupled with one of the best stories in pop music and fantastic on-stage delivery, makes for one of the most memorable evenings you can have.
Ian Mac
Oct 16, 2016
Fantastic night. So good I've booked to see it again
gilda martino
Oct 16, 2016
Brilliant
Lucas Barnfield
Oct 14, 2016
I took my mum to see Sunny Afternoon last night for her 65th birthday and it was spectacular. I am 27 and we both enjoyed it equally as much. Very clever use of a small cast and the excellent musicians, actors and simple set really embodied The Kinks and the 60's era. High energy and uplifting and I would definitely go again.
Katie Bruce
Oct 13, 2016
We went to the Harold Pinter Theatre on Friday 7th October to see Sunny Afternoon, this was one of the best shows we have been to for ages. The singers were fantastic and the story line great, it was rocking at the end.
Martin
Oct 10, 2016
I've always loved the songs of The Kinks and Sunny Afternoon brings them back to life. There is a relatively small cast who throw themselves into the story of The Kinks with energy and enthusiasm. I've been to see many live bands over the years and performance on Saturday was excellent in comparison. How these guys do 2 shows on a Saturday is amazing. I would thoroughly recommend seeing this before it ends in October.
Moira Kayes
Oct 8, 2016
second time seeing this and it was fantastic both time truly captivates the band and particularly the brothers
Martyn
Oct 1, 2016
Really enjoyed the evening - very nostalgic and entertaining. Great energy from all the cast and nice to have a bop at the end!
Wendy
Sep 29, 2016
Loved the show and the music. Excellent.
Tessie
Sep 27, 2016
Very talented cast.
Barb
Sep 25, 2016
Show was very good. Only downside was that we couldn't see all of the performance from the Royal Circle, the very front of the stage was obscured by the balcony. Our party was not the only ones having difficulty.
Lorraine Livingstone
Sep 24, 2016
The show was brilliant great venue just the right size really good show a must for the kinks fans
sauk54
Sep 20, 2016
First show we've been to in a while. Loved the Kinks so gave it a go and we weren't disappointed. Actors were superb .. music was awesome .. language was colourful at times (but didn't detract one bit). All round fabulous night.
Lyn
Sep 18, 2016
Very good show.
Natalie
Sep 17, 2016
I walked out of Sunny Afternoon last night feeling like I wanted to be on the stage myself! What an outstanding and thoroughly entertaining performance! We were seated in the stalls, row B, B13 and B14. Originally I was concerned about how loud the performance was going to be because of how close we were to the stage, but in the end you get so involved with the storyline and the music, that's the last thing you're thinking about! It was a fantastic step back in time, brilliant singing, dancing and acting along with humour all under the quaint roof of the Harold Pinter Theatre. Delightful evening.
Nigel
Sep 16, 2016
A wonderful show with great music, naturally! I relived the '60s which provided some of the greatest music we've ever heard.
Sam 'n' Dave
Sep 15, 2016
Brilliant show ...seen it four times now! The music is great and the story well told. The Harold Pinter Theatre is the perfect venue as it is quite small and intimate.
tony smurthwaite
Sep 12, 2016
I cant stay away to my eyes, flawless performances and love the way the cast engage the audience I will remember how the priest came in side of stage and smiled a 'what do you think' at me, forever. Its like watching ballet-so much going on,I don't know where to look
Sue
Sep 11, 2016
An amazing experience, hard to put it into words! See it for yourself and you will love it too!!
John Wilson
Sep 9, 2016
We thought the performance was excellent, a good story line with first class musicianship and a touch of humour. The cast appeared to really enjoy what they were doing.
Derek Mitchell
Sep 8, 2016
A fantastic evening's entertainment. A really moving story told with brilliant music by extremely talented artistes. Every member of the cast performed to the highest standard, the sound was completely authentic. I can't recommend this show highly enough, it really is a "must see". Buy tickets now, the run ends in October!!
Allen Nicklin
Sep 8, 2016
A gritty, no nonsense story of four lads from Muswell Hill who become one of the top groups in the 1960s. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, but also brilliant. Great acting and fantastic music , a must-see show
Geoff Whittaker.
Sep 8, 2016
The show is absolutely fantastic!!! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The live music is sensational, It brought back wonderful memories of the swinging 60's. The cast are all marvellous.I thoroughly recommend see this show. It is a great night out. GW Rugby.
Jane Jarman
Sep 6, 2016
We were upgraded on arrival, so very pleased with our seats in the circle. It was very well put together and well worth the trip up to London from Portsmouth to see it.
Gwyn Manfield
Sep 4, 2016
Excellent show a must see
Butterfly
Sep 3, 2016
Absolutely fantastic show Best we've been to for a very long time. Thoroughly entertained the whole way. Cast were brill would definitely watch it again and again :-)
L Finn
Aug 31, 2016
The show is lively and good fun and the music is great. I would suggest people who have an intolerance to very loud music do not sit near the front of the stalls, in addition some of the dancing takes place on an extension of the stage which is in the middle of the stalls so if your further back you see the performance as a whole. Wonderful show well worth seeing
Helen
Aug 30, 2016
Brilliant show
Alan Ellis
Aug 28, 2016
Excellent insight of the behind scenes of one of the major components of the "British Invasion". The Kinks were/are a unique group in their own right and style and the musical brings that to the fore. The musical content is wonderful and is a powerful part of the story.
Howie
Aug 27, 2016
Good fun evening of entertainment!
Clare
Aug 25, 2016
Took my mum as a birthday treat and didn't expect to love the show myself as much as I did. Iconic music from excellent musicians as well as actors. Highly recommended.
Val Mellor
Aug 25, 2016
Theatre was really nice, easy to find, show was excellent, really enjoyed it. I thought all the performers worked really hard and were very professional. Music was great. Would recommend to anyone.
Steve
Aug 23, 2016
Totally enjoyable.
Tim
Aug 23, 2016
Highly entertaining show, well worth seeing get if know The Kinks music
Simon VAAL
Aug 22, 2016
An entertaining vibrancy as old hits were played covering the interesting start up and growth of the band including managerial relationships and overseas touring difficulties. Stopped short of full repertoire and history including Come Dancing. Energy and fun increased as the show progressed to include Audience participation at a packed house.
Chrissie Yates
Aug 22, 2016
Loved the energy, loved the quality of the live music combined with believable acting qualities. Such talent was a pleasure to experience. Would highly recommend this particularly to those who just about remember a less frantic time when music came from the heart with something of relevance to say.
Mo & Mannie
Aug 20, 2016
Totally amazing with terrific sound effects,such talented actors/actresses. Great show
Mave the Rave
Aug 19, 2016
What a fantastic show..the 3 of us really enjoyed it. Great acting and the music was excellent. Great atmosphere during the show with everyone joining in !! If you love the Kinks music.. you will love this .
Reetpetite
Aug 18, 2016
The show was very well done and showed the history of the group and their various problems. The music was excellent, the show was marred however by the very restricted view we had from the Royal Circle (unaptly named). We were unable to see many parts of the show and had not been warned that tis would be the case. I wouldlike to see the show again from a proper seating aspect.
Helen Giles
Aug 18, 2016
I bought the tickets for my dads 75th birthday. He loved it. Brought back many memories of the music of his past.
sue chamberlain
Aug 18, 2016
Saw Sunny Afternoon for the second time yesterday. (Only show I have ever seen twice) Just brilliant. Singing all the way home. Looking to book again!
Stephanie
Aug 18, 2016
We really enjoyed this show . The music and dancing were brilliant. Special mention must go to the guitarist who played Dave Davies. However, don't make out mistake. We say on the third row in the stalks. The music was so loud that our whole bodies were vibrating. I feared for my ears and internal organs. Fortunately, we were able to move further back for the second act and enjoyed it much more. Brilliant finale !!
Tricia
Aug 18, 2016
Pulsating musical that transported us back to the 60s, emotional on all levels. Whole cast could sing, dance and their energy was unbelievable. Fabulous show and I would love to see it again.
Caroline S
Aug 9, 2016
Well executed and joyful. Very good rendition of Kinks' material.
Sheila Riley
Aug 7, 2016
We really enjoyed the show and came away with the feel good factors.
Anita
Aug 7, 2016
Fab, fab, fab show. Amazing cast..full of energy. Can't wait to see it again....
Peta Ullmann
Aug 4, 2016
Excellent production. Energetic, well-crafted performances. Thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting.
woody
Aug 4, 2016
Great upbeat show, worth a visit.
Linda
Aug 2, 2016
Went to watch the show on a Monday evening. My husband loves the Kinks so we decided to come and see the show before it ends in October. It was absolutely brilliant the main character in the show has a fantastic singing voice. Very enjoyable a must see.