The Birth of Rock and Roll

“Nice to see you boys still out of jail!”

Johnny Cash

The Company (Photo: Alex Tabrizi)

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. 

Christopher Erasmus as Johnny Cash. (Photo: Alex Tabrizi)

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. 

 

Connor Payne as Elvis Presley (Photo: Alex Tabrizi)

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. 

Joey Bradick as Carl Perkins. (Photo: Alex Tabrizi)

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!

Joe Bence as Jerry Lee Lewis. (Photo: Alex Tabrizi)

Musical Numbers

Act One

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

 

Act Two

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

 

 

 

Production Notes

Million Dollar Quartet 

Book written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle

Cast

Starring:

Darren Day

Joe Bence

Josh Haberfield

Geraint Downing

Jenay Naima

Connor Payne

Joey Bradick

Christopher Erasmus

Creatives

Director: Jonathan O’Boyle

Musical supervisor: Lee Freeman
 
 
Movement director: Joanna Goodwin
 
 

Designer: Libby Watson

Lighting Designer:  Alex Musgrave

Sound Designer: Nick Lodge

Information

Running Time: Two hours 10 minutes including  an interval

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

Jenny Naima as Dyanne (Photo: Alex Tabrizi)