So are we to condemn The Drifters Girl because it is about exploited male singers or to commend it for giving its cast co-creation roles? You do know the von Trapp singers caught the train out of Austria, they didn’t flee over the mountains from the Nazis in The Sound of Music.
Faye Treadwell’s daughter Tina had the original idea. Her daughter, who is left in the US for the UK tours, is played alternately by Dara Ajagbe, Amari Brown, Arabel Harley and Savanna Musoni.
What is quite special is that they wear the waved wigs of the 1950s and 60s before Afros became the mode, stylised suits and their dance routines with exaggerated hand movements don’t in any way cause any derogatory giggles as professionalism is rooted in this show. Anthony Ward’s set is simple, textured boards and moving apertures with great lighting so we can change location without clunky set changes. Beverley’s Knight’s outfits are ageless.
Beverley Knight’ songs are to do with the love for her husband, great ballads of love and loss. “Harlem Child”, “There Goes My First Love”, “I Don’t Want To Go On Without You” and her singing is sublime.
In my opinion The Drifters Girl is a Five Star show! Enjoy!