The Bluejays Rock N Roll Revolution
Pavilion Theatre, Worthing
Friday 27 July 2018
The Bluejays Rock N Roll Revolution
On a scorching Friday summer’s evening, award-winning vintage band The Bluejays performed their latest tour Rock N Roll Revolution at Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre, and it wasn’t just hot because of the bizarre sunny British weather; the performers were on fire and enjoyed a full standing ovation.
In the introduction to the show, the narrator exclaims “every sound you hear on stage tonight is being performed live in front of you”, a reflection of the authenticity of the production and the raw talent produced by an era of music that changed the world forever.
The show blasts through a whopping 40 hits from 50s rock n roll icons, with performances of Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Cliff Richard and so many more pioneering artists. The versatile show can be adapted to different venues and sizes, and that evening we were given the pleasure of a hugely talented 8-piece band. Led by guitarist and singer Ollie Seymour-Marsh, the band consisted of two guitarists, a bass player, a drummer, a female vocalist, a 2-piece brass section and vocal pianist.
As if that plethora of musicians wasn’t enough entertainment, the audience are also treated to a stunning backdrop, where images and videos were projected onto a vintage screen, highlighting the most significant moments of the fifties, as well as providing plenty of atmosphere and comedy throughout.
The audience are taken on a fascinating journey through the fifties, the show begins at the birth of rock n roll, and in between songs a snippet of history is unearthed to reveal to us how the genre was revolutionised through the years. The show isn’t just a string of hits, it is a theatrical and historical experience that leaves you wishing you could live in such a glorious age of music.
Having formed in 2013, the main four members of the band Ollie Seymour-March, Dan Graham, Chris Reid and Adam Martin together already had a wealth of experience in previous West End rock n roll theatre shows, such as ‘Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story’, ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ and ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’. I saw Ollie in The Buddy Holly Story seven years ago, and he was brilliant then so I already had high expectations. His vocal range and singing style when jumping between characters is wonderfully diverse, and as a world class guitarist, he even treated the audience to a signature trick by playing his Fender ‘52 Telecaster behind his back; which the crowd loved.
Winners of the National Vintage Award for Best Entertainment, and the London Vintage Award for Best Band, The Bluejays will give you an unforgettable musical experience – it’s the hottest ticket in town.
Reviewer: Stephen Sheldrake
Revolutionary ****