“Nice to see you boys still out of jail!”
Johnny Cash
I first saw this show in 2011 and remember being blown away by the deep register of Derek Hagen singing Johnny Cash songs. This new show is in no way disappointing with Christopher Erasmus delivering the wonderful Cash songs – “Sixteen Tons”, “I Walk the Line”, “Riders in the Sky” and “Folsom Prison Blues”. These classic numbers will make the hairs stand up on your arms.
Million Dollar Quartet has come into London from the Barn Theatre in Cirencester into The Arts at Marble Arch, the temporary space while the Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street is undergoing renovation. Starting in 1952 we meet Darren Day as Record producer Sam Phillips, who is recording for his company Sun Records, the emerging talent of writers and singers of Rock and Roll. The show celebrates 4th December 1956 when on a one off occasion Phillips brought together Carl Perkins (Joey Bradick) Johnny Cash (Christopher Erasmus) Elvis Presley (Connor Payne) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Joe Bence). These singers all play their own guitars, piano with drums by Josh Haberfield as WS “Fluke” Holland and a double bass from Geraint Downing as his brother Jay.
There is good characterisation and some biographical detail making Million Dollar Quartet more than a tribute concert. Jerry Lee Lewis is wild, Johnny Cash is charismatic and Carl Perkins is less known. It is very difficult to capture Elvis Presley’s stage presence but Conor Payne sings very well, especially in the Dean Martin song, “Memories Are Made of This”.
Elvis in his teens at the beginning of this jam session will bring a girlfriend with him, Dyanne (Jenay Naima) who will sing two songs, the fabulous “Fever” and “I Hear You Knocking.” I wish we had heard more about her.
Darren Day as Sam Phillips has great vision but will see these artists all eventually sign with major record labels. There is great poignancy as the audience knows Johnny has already signed with Columbia records at the expiry of his Sun Records contract, before Sam Phillips does. However we hear at the end he is signing a new talent from Texas, Roy Orbison. Orbison would be the subject of the next rock musical I’ll like to see.
This show is great value resisting ticket price inflation so we will have to forgive the interruptions of sirens from the traffic in the temporary venue. Maybe don’t go on Bonfire Night. On another perfect but topical note, the audience were immaculate, no photographs until the curtain call and no interfering with the songs being sung. We think the show has finished on “Great Balls of Fire” but no, there are five more sung treats in store. Highly recommended, brilliantly sung and played show!
Blue Suede Shoes
Real Wild Child
Matchbox
Who Do You Love?
Folsom Prison Blues
Fever
Memories Are Made of This
That’s All Right
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
Down by the Riverside
Sixteen Tons
My Babe
Long Tall Sally
Peace in the Valley
I Walk the Line
I Hear You Knockin’
Let’s Have a Party
Great Balls of Fire
Down by the Riverside (Reprise)
Hound Dog
Ghost Riders by the Sky
See You Later Alligator
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
Book written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle
Starring:
Darren Day
Joe Bence
Josh Haberfield
Geraint Downing
Jenay Naima
Connor Payne
Joey Bradick
Christopher Erasmus
Director: Jonathan O’Boyle
Designer: Libby Watson
Lighting Designer: Alex Musgrave
Sound Designer: Nick Lodge
Booking until 6th December 2026
Theatre:
Arts Theatre
at Marble Arch
London W1H 7DX
Tube: Marble Arch Exit 3
Booking: https://milliondollarmusical.com/
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge
at the Arts Marble Arch
on 15th September 2026