Million Dollar Quartet Review at The Arts at Marble Arch

Rock and Roll arrived this week in the West End’s newest theatre, The Arts at Marble Arch, and the incredible talent in this show had the entire opening night audience on their feet.

Million Dollar Quartet is unlike other jukebox musicals, because, although we learn a little about the artists’ lives and careers, the show focuses on just one extraordinary evening in Memphis when Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded together in Sun Studio. The focus is squarely on their legendary music, which is performed by a cast of extraordinary musicians. These actors are not playing the band; they are the band, performing every hit live, which is the essence of this show’s success. With full credit to Casting Director Harry Blumenau for such a brilliant line-up of artists, every performer on stage oozes charisma and delivers showstopping renditions of hit after hit.

Joe Bence gets under the skin of Jerry Lee Lewis’ irritating and questionable character, without ever losing his appeal as a performer, and delights the audience with explosive piano playing and energetic vocals. Connor Payne brings a vital energy to Elvis Presley and a rich, powerful voice that does more than justice to these trailblazing songs. Joey Bradick captures the disgruntled Carl Perkins and channels this frustration into his commanding frontman performance of several hits. Christopher Erasmus provides a grounded counterbalance as Johnny Cash, both in temperament and in his rich baritone notes that resonate through this pioneering music.

Along with Geraint Downing, who plays double bass with an incredible physicality, and Jacob Evans providing the all-essential rhythm on drums, the ensemble musicianship of this sextet is first class. The close harmony vocal work is another highlight. Jenay Naima is absolutely captivating as the semi-fictional Dyanne, and brings the house down with incredible vocals when she steps into the spotlight.

Linking the whole show together is Darren Day as producer Sam Phillips, nicknamed ‘the father of rock and roll’. Day has a wonderful rapport with the audience, simultaneously telling the story but also embodying the man who made it all happen.

This new production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical was created by Cirencester’s Barn Theatre, one of the UK’s newest producing houses, and it’s exciting to see the quality of production they are now sharing with London.

Director Jonathan O’Boyle has crafted a strong drama, guiding immaculate performances, and keeps the whole evening tightly paced. Movement Director Joanna Goodwin gives all the performers their characteristic physicality and choreographs dynamism into each and every number. The set design by Libby Watson recreates the humble Sun Studio but intersects this with a bold imagined proscenium that ingeniously allows the show to seamlessly flow from the recording studio to the world stage these hits have enjoyed. This is supported by excellent lighting design by Alex Musgrave, as well as impeccable sound design by Nick Lodge.

Would it be remiss of me not to mention the hit songs themselves? There are too many! But fans of rock and roll will not be disappointed by the immediacy of hearing favourites like ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, ‘Fever,’ ‘I Walk the Line’, and ‘Great Balls of Fire’ performed live by this phenomenal cast.

Million Dollar Quartet plays at The Arts at Marble Arch until 06 December 2026.

Where I Sat

For this show, I sat in R23 of the Stalls. The rear stalls in The Arts at Marble Arch offers a good view overall, though some distance from the stage. Seats are comfortable with good legroom for a great viewing experience.

Have You Seen Million Dollar Quartet?

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Reviewed by Patrick Jeremy for SeatPlan, September 2026.