Review | Jersey Boys | Manchester Palace Theatre | 08 September 2026
Two decades after first premiering on Broadway, this Tony & Olivier Award winning musical celebrates its twentieth anniversary with an extensive UK tour. Jersey Boys follows the true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons from the streets of New Jersey to the top of the charts. On paper, their story is the perfect recipe for an incredible musical. Unfortunately, the book doesn’t dig quite deep enough beneath the surface to do its extraordinary story justice.
The show is divided into four sections, each narrated by a different member of the band. It is an interesting story telling device that gives each character their moment in the spotlight, but in practice it doesn’t quite pay off. The frequent shifts in perspective interrupt the momentum, particularly during the first act which struggles to get going until the most famous songs appear. The second act has considerably more pace, as the cracks within the group begin to show. It is however frustrating that some of the story’s darker and more compelling themes aren’t explored more explicitly to fully bring you into their world.
Visually, this is a relatively stripped back show and there is little attempt at spectacle. The set remains largely static, with a handful of set pieces moving on and off as required. Instead, the focus is firmly on the music and performances.
At its heart, Jersey Boys is a nostalgic celebration of the band’s iconic catalogue, giving loyal fans exactly what they came for. Alongside the music, the performances are more than strong enough to help carry the show. Luke Bayer steals the show as Frankie Valli, effortlessly recreating that famous falsetto while convincingly channelling the legendary frontman. He is well matched by the rest of the Four Seasons, whose chemistry is undeniable. Together, they capture the spirit of the group so convincingly that you could believe they too had been performing together for years.
Although Jersey Boys is by no means perfect, it is still perfectly enjoyable. For existing fans, there is plenty of nostalgia to savour in hearing the Four Seasons beloved music performed so well. For newcomers, however, there may not be quite enough beneath the music to make enough of an impact.
Jersey Boys plays at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 19 September.
Note: My ticket was gifted in exchange for a review. This review is based on my honest opinion alone and is without influence.
