Jersey Boys

I heard that too but didn't see any actual evidence of it, just a load of tweets from people who weren't at the show

I saw this last weekend for the first time since it moved theatres (I was spoiled with Tim as Frankie on the tour and didn't want to go and see anyone else!!), the new cast convinced me to go. I sat on the front row and it was absolutely brilliant - the stage is much lower than at the Prince Edward, and without an orchestra pit in the way the view was excellent. I could even read the headline on Tommy's newspaper!

I like the new cast, I thought Simon was excellent as Tommy and he did some small bits differently to others which I liked. I was pleased Mark was on as Bob Crewe as he was one of the ones I'd gone to see, and the cast list hadn't been updated from the Friday night so still showed him as being off. I saw Dayle as Frankie and thought he was also very good - in fact I've never seen a Frankie I haven't liked, and I also thought Declan made a good Bob. I hope to see this cast again.

Anyone heard anything about this moving? I've heard it's on its way out of the Picadilly for either Pheonix or Playhouse in order to get it to its 10 years.

They would have to seriously downsize to move to the Playhouse, the Phoenix while not huge would probably be a better option for the show.

I hear Billy Elliot is going into the Piccadilly after their UK tour ends with the majority of their cast.

After all the final show fuss, will they really bring it back that soon?! I love the show a lot but I wouldn't imagine they will bring it back quite so soon.

I was told a couple of years ago that if Billy were to close completely it would never come back due to the cost and time for training the Billys. So if it doesn't go back to the West End or extend the tour, a "proper" production may never be seen again.

Michael Watson was recently back as emergency cover as they were down to one Frankie on Tuesday (Matt was ill, Dayle on holiday and Ben on paternity leave).

I have to say, while this cast is good, I'm not quite as impressed as I was with the previous 2 casts - possibly because I don't think Matt is as good as either Michael or Sandy.

Tbh, I prefer this cast over the last. Matt is a great Frankie and he looks as I imagine Frankie Valli to look like. Standout for me was Declan Egan - what an amazing Bob Gaudio he is. Really liked his character development from young, inexperienced and over-enthusiastic Bobby to cool and mature Bob. Not quite as good as Stephen Ashfield, but very close.

Audience however was awful. Phone checking, talking, singing and (wrongly) clapping along. What's wrong with some people?


Does he at least announce his dates early enough? As I said, Ben Wheeler's Tommy is terrific, but when you're there to see one specific person...


He had to be better luck next time then.

And I've just seen that Leanne Garretty is a Swing. Haven't seen her since Rock of Ages, so hopefully she'll be also on then.

According to the programme, it's his 9th year in Jersey Boys. Doubt he'll ever leave...

Ben will never leave. He's a swing and dance captain so he has a good variety of roles to play plus a bit of responsibility. He still enjoys being in the show. Him and Mark are indeed superswings - they've both played the majority of male roles in the show.