The Drifters Girl

The Drifters Girl is a jukebox musical with a book by Ed Curtis based on an idea by Tina Treadwell. It is based on the story of the American vocal group The Drifters and their manager Faye Treadwell, and features their music.

The Drifters Girl
MusicVarious
LyricsVarious
BookEd Curtis
Tina Treadwell (idea)
BasisStory and music of The Drifters
Premiere9 October 2021: Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Productions2021 Newcastle-upon-Tyne
2021 West End

Production history

The musical made its world premiere at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle on 9 October, running until 23 October 2021 prior to a run in London's West End at the Garrick Theatre from 4 November 2021 until 26 March 2022. The production is directed by Jonathan Church with a set designed by Anthony Ward, costumes by Faye Fullerton, choreographed by Karen Bruce, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall, and music direction by Chris Egan.[1] The show is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian. Beverley Knight stars as Faye Treadwell with Adam J. Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud as The Drifters who also co-created the musical.[2] The musical was originally announced in November 2019 to open in September 2020, however was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

The production received two Laurence Olivier Award nominations in 2022, for Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Musical.[4] Knight also received a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for her performance.[5]

The World Premiere Cast Recording for the musical was recorded by Knight, Bernard, Callender, Henry and Wanogho-Maud at Abbey Road Studios and was released on 6 May 2022.[6]

Knight played her final two shows as Faye Treadwell on 2 July 2022 and was succeeded by Broadway actress Felicia Boswell in her West End debut.[7]

Musical numbers

The musical features songs made famous by The Drifters including;

  1. "Hello Happiness"/"Kissin’ In The Back Row Of The Movies"/"There Goes My First Love" – The Drifters
  2. "Money Money" – Clyde
  3. "Follow Me" – Faye
  4. "Whatcha Gonna Do" – Clyde, Johnny and Ben
  5. "Fools Fall in Love" – Clyde
  6. "Nobody But Me" – Faye
  7. "Save The Last Dance For Me" – Ben
  8. "This Magic Moment" – Ben
  9. "Stand By Me" – Ben
  10. "Sweets for My Sweet" – Ben
  11. "I Don't Wanna Go On Without You"/"Stand By Me" – Faye
  12. "Saturday Night At The Movies" – Johnny
  13. "There Goes My Baby" – George
  14. "When My Little Girl Is Smiling" – Clyde
  15. "Under The Boardwalk" – Ben
  16. "In the Land of Make Believe" – Clyde and Ben
  17. "Harlem Child" – Faye
  18. "Kissin’ In The Back Row Of The Movies" – Johnny
  19. "There Goes My First Love" – Johnny
  20. "Come On Over To My Place" – Johnny
  21. "There Goes My Baby" (reprise) – Faye and George
  22. "You're More Than a Number in My Little Red Book" – Faye and The Drifters

Cast and characters
Character Newcastle/West End premiere (2021)
Faye Treadwell Beverley Knight
George Treadwell Adam J. Bernard
Johnny Moore Tarinn Callender
Clyde McPhatter Matt Henry
Ben E. King Tosh Wanogho-Maud

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee Result
2022 Laurence Olivier Award Best New Musical Nominated
Best Actress in a Musical Beverley Knight Nominated
WhatsOnStage Award Best Performer in a Female Identifying Role in a Musical Nominated

References
  1. Cristi, A. A. "Cast and Creative Team Announced for THE DRIFTERS GIRL Starring Beverley Knight". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  2. "The Drifters Girl musical announces full casting". British Theatre. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  3. "Brand new musical The Drifters Girl comes to the Garrick Theatre". Nimax Theatres. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  4. Yossman, K. J. (8 March 2022). "Eddie Redmayne, Jessie Buckley and Emma Corrin Nominated for Olivier Awards 2022". Variety.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  5. "22nd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards: the winners in full | WhatsOnStage". Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  6. "We've got some exciting news to share with you my Luvs... ❤️ The boys and I have been down at the legendary Abbey Road studios and recorded a cast album of 'The Drifters Girl'!!! It's out 6th May". Twitter.com. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  7. "Broadway's Felicia Boswell to Make Her West End Debut, Taking over from Beverley Knight in Hit Musical 'The Drifters Girl'". 27 May 2022.
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