Million Dollar Quartet – The Arts At Marble Arch, Marble Arch

Author: Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux  
Director: Jonathan O’Boyle

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Million Dollar Performances“

4.5 / 5

When four iconic music legends – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins all came together at Sun Records and had a jam session, it was history in the making.

Owner Sam Phillips (Darren Day) knew he had a quartet of stars on his hands, and was eager to keep them under his record label, to continue on the success they’d built from the ground up together. But, with Cash (Christopher Erasmus) and Perkins (Joey Bradick) considering a move to Columbia Records, Presley (Connor Payne) already having been sold to RCA to keep the lights on, and Lewis’s (Joe Bence) cheeky, controversial remarks posing the threat of being a future liability, it’s a tough job for Phillips to keep the atmosphere as harmonious as their vocals.

Escott and Mutrux’s storyline is, as expected with many jukebox style musicals, pretty thin by the way of a script, but with a jam packed score of 20+ classic and impeccably performed songs, you can’t complain! Across one evening, the shows purpose is mainly to highlight the musical prowess of the four, rather than delve into any of their backstories too intently. Enough context is given though, both in interactions and through the cast performances, to sketch out each character, so those less aware can still invest into the narrative, as well as be impressed by the song selection.

Bence, Bradick, Erasmus and Payne are all absolutely fantastic – each giving a million dollar performance to make the show as electric as it is. Their impersonations are very well done, each perfecting the mannerisms and personality traits, to bring the well known figures to life. Musically, they are phenomenal, each playing instruments live on stage, alongside Geraint Downing (Brother Jay) and Josh Haberfield (W.S ‘Fluke’ Holland), with such skill and energy that it’s like you’ve been transported back in time to the jam session itself. Bence is a wizard on the piano, and his humorous quips are very funny. Bradick’s ensures Perkins’ frustration over the ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ controversy is emotionally impactful, while his songs are brilliantly performed. Erasmus gives Cash the assured, deep and soulful persona that he is known for and Payne is charming and engaging, especially in his rendition of ‘Hound Dog’. With one hit after another, it’s a constant stream of excellently performed classics.

Day is a calm, charismatic narrator, making it easy to see why so many musicians flocked to Phillips, with his paternal attitude to his discoveries, showcased tenderly and enjoyably by Day. Including Jenay Naima as Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne, is a great addition to the storyline – Naima has a gorgeous voice, her rendition of ‘Fever’ sultry and seductive, immediately simmering down the energy and soothing the atmosphere, before it is ramped back up with another Rock & Roll hit. Libby Watson’s set and costumes are perfectly retro, and help to set the scene as soon as you enter the theatre. A brilliantly entertaining evening, with some fabulously talented performers.

Runs until 6th December 2026