Jersey Boys – Review – Bradford Alhambra
By Christine Goode, July 2026
It’s summertime, the weather is lovely and everyone feels brighter when the sun is shining. To top it all off, one of my favourite musicals is celebrating its 20th-anniversary tour and is here in Bradford right now.
To say I am a fan of Jersey Boys is an understatement. I have seen the show, let’s say, quite a few times, watched countless tribute bands and seen Frankie Valli himself twice. Yes, the real-life Frankie Valli!
We join the crowd heading towards the Alhambra Theatre. Everyone is smiling, dressed in summer dresses, shorts and smart shirts. It is a mixed crowd of all ages. However, regardless of generation, most people will have heard songs by the legendary Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
As a child, I often heard my parents playing the Four Seasons’ greatest hits on cassette, and that is where my love of their music began. When I first saw the show many years ago, my fascination with its story and songs only deepened. Many performances later, I still adore it. Every production has something special about it, and this one is no exception.
The story follows four young Italian-American men striving to escape New Jersey by forming the next big group. It is ingeniously told from a unique perspective, allowing each band member to give his version of events. Over the years, they recall things differently from one another, making the tale even more interesting.
“Razor-sharp”
Like the stories of many other rock and pop legends, it has the familiar rags-to-riches trajectory, complete with a cheating manager or record company waiting to take advantage. However, this story stands apart from the rest. Theft, the Mafia and connections to the mob are major themes. Think Goodfellas with hit songs.
The tale twists and turns as the group forms and navigates its way towards fame and fortune while dealing with love, loss and heartache.
The cast are superb. Returning to Yorkshire on this UK tour is local lad Luke Baker. Taking on the iconic role and voice of Frankie Valli is no easy feat. Valli’s distinctive falsetto is unmistakable and difficult to emulate, but Baker delivers it with ease. His rendition of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You is flawless.
Carlo Boumouglbay is excellent as Tommy DeVito. His hot-headed portrayal is convincing as Tommy calls the shots within the band. Nick Massi, played by Lewis Kennedy, is the ‘Ringo of the group’: a loyal member who endures Tommy’s bullying and out-of-control behaviour. Kennedy has a voice that could melt butter and displays razor-sharp wit.
Toby Miles is equally impressive as Bob Gaudio, portraying the grounded member of the group who writes and produces the hits, quietly aware that he is responsible for taking the band towards fame and fortune.
“Effective”
Damien Winchester also gives a noteworthy performance as Barry Belson, as well as several other characters. He has outstanding vocals and shifts seamlessly between multiple roles throughout the show.
The fixed staging is simple yet effective, giving the actors and musicians plenty of room to move. Two spiral staircases and an elevated walkway add depth to the set and help the story flow through its different eras. It is a fast-paced production, with a great deal of content squeezed into two and a half hours that simply fly by.
The music is, of course, legendary, with favourites including Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Working My Way Back to You. The cast have the audience, including my guest and me, singing, clapping and tapping along, while the lady beside me adds a little seated dance and shoulder shuffle.
By the end, the whole theatre erupts, with everyone on their feet, cheering and enjoying the moment. As we leave, I spot a few familiar faces and we chat excitedly about how wonderful the show was.
It certainly leaves its audience wanting more. Speaking of which, I am unashamedly going back next week with the people who introduced me to this wonderful music all those years ago.
Happy birthday, Dad!
Jersey Boys is at Bradford Alhambra until 1 August
images: Mark Senior
Christine Goode founded her own dance school – The May School of Dance & Theatre Arts over three decades ago. Her dedication to teaching and love of dance, has created many successful artists in the industry, and she is delighted that many of her former students have now returned with their children, allowing them to also discover this beautiful art. She has choreographed, produced and directed shows over the last 36 years, and is devoted to all live theatre and music. Now in her third year of writing about her obsession with the arts, Christine loves to encourage everyone to see as much live theatre as possible.
maydanceschool.co.uk
