Jersey Boys - New Wimbledon Theatre

Franki Valli and the Four Seasons are back for a 20th Anniversary tour - starting off right here, in London. Jersey Boys is a name one hears often in this industry. Hailed as one of the most successful jukebox musicals, its reputation precedes it. And it delivers, with some minor caveats.

Jersey Boys tells the story of a mismatched group of four guys who come together to form a band, whilst also being involved in some less-than-legal activities. It’s a musical that immediately delivers stakes and urgency to the stage, and manages to maintain as it develops.

Photography: Mark Senior

Frankie Valli, the lead singer, may technically be the headline act but he’s equally involved in telling the story. We occasionally see the seasons change on a projector screen and with each new season a different member of the group takes on the role of narrator. This refreshing take on jukebox musicals shifts the focus from a single main character to exploring all four seasons of the Four Seasons’ story. As the saying goes “there are two sides to every story” and by presenting all four perspectives the audience can form a more balanced opinion of the band’s merit.

The show opens with a rendition of the French version of “Oh What A Night” - and as a French native speaker who grew up listening to that version, it wasn’t the strongest of starts one could have hoped for. Not to mention that the sound quality, as is so oft the case in this venue, did not seem to reach the level that one would expect from a musical on a Rock’n’Roll group. But, eventually, the music got louder and it was no longer an issue.

Technically speaking, this show is great. It is conservative in its set design, making it the perfect touring decor, and relies heavily on lighting design. Visually, the juxtaposition between the dark metal set, the bright suits worn by the boys, and the spotlights lighting up the stage is incredible. Simplistic and yet so powerful.

Photography: Mark Senior

The casting for this production is amazing - with Luke Baker as Frankie Valli, Carlo Boumouglbay as Tommy DeVito, Lewis Kennedy as Nick Massi, and Toby Miles as Bob Gaudio. Baker’s vocals are sky-high, with an energy that matches. The standout for me, however, was Boumouglbay. Though not in the spotlight vocally, his natural stage presence and charisma makes his a character we are not ready to forget.

All in all, Jersey Boys is a musical that deserves a spot in the “Musical Theatre Hall of Fame” as one of the best written jukebox musicals out there. It is fast paced, and though at times seemingly superficial, it brings to life characters the audience come to care for deeply.

Production Value: 70%

Value For Money: 70%

Personal Enjoyment: 75%

Overall Score: 72% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)

(AD | gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre, London

Playing Until: 27th June 2026 - before moving on to another venue

Run Time: Approximately 2h15 - with an interval of 20 minutes

Tickets can be purchased from this link.