REVIEW - SUNNY AFTERNOON | PALACE THEATRE MANCHESTER | 17/10/2025

Sunny Afternoon The Kinks Musical at the Palace Theatre Manchester – A Bright and Nostalgic Celebration

Few bands captured the sound and soul of 1960s Britain quite like The Kinks. With hits such as You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola, their sharp lyrics and rebellious spirit became the soundtrack to a generation.

Written by Joe Penhall and developed alongside The Kinks’ frontman Ray Davies, Sunny Afternoon brings their story to the stage — from the band’s modest beginnings in Muswell Hill to the chaos of global fame. Caught at the Palace Theatre Manchester, this latest tour offers an energetic celebration of the band’s legacy, filled with nostalgia, humour and a touch of melancholy. It’s a show that shines brightest when it leans into its music, though its storytelling occasionally struggles to match the brilliance of those timeless songs

The musical begins in post-war North London, where brothers Ray and Dave Davies form a band with their friends Pete Quaife and Mick Avory. As The Kinks find their sound and record their breakthrough hit You Really Got Me, the group’s rise to fame is fast and furious.

What follows is a look behind the curtain of success — the recording sessions, the relentless touring, and the growing tension between creative ambition and commercial pressure. Alongside the highs of chart-topping singles come the inevitable lows: family strain, clashing egos, and the difficulties of staying true to their roots while the music industry tries to reshape them.

The story balances humour, heart, and a few darker moments, showing both the joy of creating music that defined a decade and the cost of living in its spotlight.

Visually, Sunny Afternoon captures the vibrant energy of the sixties. Miriam Buether’s set — a wall of vintage speakers and amps — evokes recording studios and concert halls with effortless ease. Carole Hancock’s costumes dazzle with authentic period flair, from sharp mod suits to colourful stage outfits.

The lighting design by Rick Fisher brings warmth and rhythm to the production, perfectly matching the music’s changing moods. However, some uneven sound levels occasionally muffled dialogue, which took the edge off key scenes.

The music, though, is the undeniable star. Performed live by the cast, each song bursts with authenticity and energy. Waterloo Sunset and Sunny Afternoon sound sublime, while an a cappella rendition of Days adds a touching stillness. By the finale, Lola has the audience on their feet, proving that The Kinks’ music remains as infectious as ever.

Danny Horn leads as Ray Davies, delivering a sensitive portrayal of the thoughtful, often conflicted frontman. Oliver Hoare shines as Dave Davies, capturing the wild, impulsive energy of the band’s youngest member. Together, they convey the love, rivalry and creative spark that drove The Kinks’ success.

Lisa Wright brings warmth and emotional depth as Rasa, while Harry Curley and Zakarie Stokes give strong performances as Pete and Mick, the bandmates often caught between the battling brothers. Stokes’ drum solo midway through the second act is an audience favourite.

The ensemble is equally strong, with Joseph Richardson and Tam Williams offering comic charm as the band’s well-meaning yet inexperienced managers, and the cast as a whole creating a rich sense of time and place..

Sunny Afternoon is a celebration of music that defined an era. With its brilliant live performances and heartfelt nods to The Kinks’ enduring legacy, it’s an evening filled with nostalgia, laughter and toe-tapping fun. It’s not flawless, but it’s impossible not to get swept up in the joy of the music.

While the story sometimes lacks the depth to match its soundtrack, the show never loses its feel-good spirit or its sense of heart. It’s a production that reminds us why The Kinks’ songs still matter — witty, rebellious and deeply human.

A lively, nostalgic night out that proves even after all these years, The Kinks still know how to get you going.

Sunny Afternoon The Kinks Musical is at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday 18th October 2025. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.

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If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.

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Photo Credit - Manuel Harlan