REVIEW: Oh what a night! Jersey Boys make it a Valli good show with verve and vocals

Wow! Vim, Verve, Vocals and Frankie Valli, that's Jersey Boys, the story of American popular music sensations.

The Four Seasons is recounted with abounding energy, musical skill, humour and pathos by a marvellously talented cast who fully deserved the standing ovation they received from an Alhambra packed house.

The original Four Seasons - four ordinary guys whose rise, brushes with the underworld, eventual decline, later reinvention and final reunion was a roller coaster lifestyle - makes for a cracking piece of musical theatre.

Staged, like so many modern productions, on a multi-purpose set, it features tremendous performances from the principles and support artists alike. The whole package is a rollicking, uplifting and nostalgic romp.

Tim Driesen, Sam Ferriday, Lewis Griffiths and Stephen Webb as the original Four Seasons gel together perfectly and had this fine old theatre rocking from the first note.

Familiar finger clicking songs and tunes are performed immaculately with style and pizazz by a quartet of artists with fine voices and harmony.

Tim Driesen is top notch as Frankie Valli, who, with the encouragement of songwriter Bob Gaudio - an adviser to this production - went on to first front the group and then create a hugely successful solo career.

His voice and vocal range is amazing, his moves terrific - a wholly convincing Frankie.

Sam Ferriday gives a sensitive portrayal of Mr Gaudio whose inspiration provided the lyrics and tunes for so many Four Seasons hits. Stephen Webb's wisecracking Tommy Devito - the Four Seasons founder - is a joy while Lewis Griffiths as bass Nick Massi brings humour and food for thought in fine style.

The sound they make is outstanding recreating the hits that still stand up today.

The production pace is hectic with dialogue and musical numbers interwoven in a non-stop frenzy of enjoyment.

Like many who become stars their paths were often rocky - and personal tragedy affected Mr Valli, which is sensitively portrayed here.

But The Four Seasons and Frankie Valli, who continues to perform today, represent an era. This show bottles that era and the music wonderfully.

As the show bill says, it's about four guys, four stories and is an unforgettable musical. Runs until May 9.