Review: Memphis The Musical

Although I love musicals I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like, so when I was offered the opportunity for two tickets* to attend a performance of Memphis The Musical I jumped at the chance. I had heard great things of this musical with some of my friends having seen it before, so I was excited to see what all the fuss was about.

Memphis The Musical is a story inspired by true events, based in 1950s Memphis, Tennessee and follows the lives of the people of the underground music scene which celebrated black music when the general populous thought ‘race music’ was heathen and generally not suitable for white ears.

Huey, a white boy DJ born and bred in Memphis is enchanted by the blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll sound and discovers an up and coming black singer, Felicia,  in an underground club. Memphis The Musical follows the pair of them through the trials and tribulations facing black female musicians in a white man’s world,  public opinion about ‘race music’ and the forbidden love of mixed race couples.

This musical will have you toe tapping all the way through with a fantastic showcase of music and dance, and will lead you on an emotional roller coster as you watch Huey and Felicia battle their way in their personal and professional lives. Beverley Knight blew me away with her powerful and soulful vocals, for me she really stole the show. Matt Cardle  plays opposite Beverley as Huey Calhoun and brings an element of humour as well as passion to the show.

Memphis The Musical offers an extraordinary mix of electrifying music, soaring emotion and roof-raising energy which will leave you feeling uplifted, energised and with a new level of respect for those of all races who fought for equality and the right to express themselves through music in a difficult time.

Since seeing the show I have been enjoying the soundtrack and finding myself singing the songs everywhere I go. I award Memphis The Musical 5 out of 5 stars and can’t wait for an excuse to go back and experience the power and pain of this performance.

Images courtesy of Memphis, 2014, Credit: Johan Persson