On a drizzly October morning in London neither Sunny Afternoon nor Waterloo Sunset immediately leap into the mind.
But even as I sit and type the song names, a little sun peeks through the capital’s rain-promising clouds and brighten the day… a little like this behind-the-scenes video of Sunny Afternoon rehearsals.
Watching it, it’s hard not to get caught up in the infectious enthusiasm of John Dagleish, George Maguire, Ned Derrington and Adam Sopp, the four performers recreating the story of one of British music’s most influential bands.
From snippets about the involvement and encouragement of Kinks founder and Sunny Afternoon creator Ray Davies to the fact that chairs had to be re-attached to the floor at Hampstead Theatre following each performance after being loosened by bopping audience members, it gives a brilliant insight into the new musical heading to the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre later this month.
Sunny Afternoon tells the story of The Kinks and how they exploded onto a Britain caught between the conservative 50s and swinging 60s. It features hit songs including Waterloo Sunset, Lola, You Really Got Me and, of course, the title track.
If the video at the top of the page really gets you going, you can book tickets to Sunny Afternoon from us.