Walk Right Back: The Everly Brothers Story
Prestige Productions
The Embassy Theatre
Skegness
01 July 2023
Reluctantly, I missed the chance to review this show in 2022 due to COVID, but I am delighted that I was able to attend this year's touring production featuring the same two lead performers as last year. I did see last year's touring production when it came to Grimsby, though I did not review it. This time, I was determined to sit down, dig in and enjoy reviewing this cavalcade of hits from the 50s and 60s.
The brothers are performed by Lars Pluto and Luke Wilson, singing as Don and Phil respectively. The show has come a long way since it's earliest incarnation when Wilson performed the same role with his real-life brother, Aaron, playing Don. Originally, it was more of a musical play, today it is more of a tribute concert as evidenced by the double CD sold at the show. Pluto had originally featured in a variety of other roles before stepping up as Don over the last two tours.
Without question the show will stand or fall by the quality of the band and its lead vocals and Pluto and Wilson produce an impeccable reproduction of the originals. From the opening number, When Will I Be Loved, it becomes clear that the audience's expectations will be met. No longer performing as the brothers per se, more just singing as each Pluto is the first to step outside the role with his genuine, warm, Southern accent to narrate the boys' story. It ten comes as quite the surprise as Wilson demonstrates a clear distinction by admitting that he hails from Woking. This dynamic sets the tone for the show and the hits just keep coming. Bye Bye Love and Wake Up Little Suzie are among the earliest recognisable songs and we learn of the group's inspirational songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant whose talents combined with the brothers' harmonies catapulted them to worldwide fame.
ame always comes at a cost though, and in this instance it came at the expense of a fraternal split ending the boys' career as a duo. The production staged this event beautifully with a performance of So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) to close out Act One. Act Two was nominally set at the Royal Albert Hall, where in 1983, the brothers sensationally staged their comeback performance after their ignominious ten-year hiatus. Here they performed what the cast call the "Deadly Medley" of sad ballads which gained much acclaim during their career featuring Always Its You, Devoted To You and Crying In The Rain.
The leads presented the audience with the "Harmonies From Heaven" for which the Everlys are famed and with gravity-defying quiffs and occasional appropriate costume changes recreated the experience of an Everly Brothers concert brilliantly. Wilson taking the high harmonies and Pluto delivering the melody gave the audience their everything, and the attendees rose as one in appreciation.
It would be remiss not to mention the musicians providing such astonishingly accurate backing. Keyboard player and also playing Buddy Holly during a 1950s concert section was Seán McAusland. On drums (and Coke bottle) was Eduardo Neto, bass was played by Peter Ravenhill - who is one of Marty Wilde's current touring version of The Wildcats and lastly the audaciously talented, Tom Wright who played guitar and the role of Eddie Cochran. The band was superb and note perfect throughout. wright's Chet Atkins-inspired version of Mr Sandman and Albert Lee's Country Boy demonstrated just what a talented guitarist he really is.
Lars Pluto asked the audience if they will return next year should the tour come back and was met with a resounding cheer. Who knows? I may even be tempted to return to watch this wonderful ensemble yet again. I thoroughly recommend this show if it is visiting your area in the near future.
Andy Evans 02 July 2023
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