All or Nothing - A Mod Musical
Grab your skinny tie & jump on your Vespa
All or Nothing. It’s the title of one of the Small Faces biggest hits and a song which helps define mod culture. But it’s also the name of a brand new musical about the band and describes the battle to bring the show to the stage by its writer, producer and one of its stars Carol Harrison. Flash back 50 years to the height of mod madness in the UK and the Small Faces were one of the biggest names in music thanks to their earthy songs, incredible musicianship, a sharp look and stacks of swagger.
For many, the Small Faces’ music was the soundtrack of the mod era and the quartet became household names the world over. But, as ever, the perilous path to stardom (and beyond) is littered with booby traps be they unscrupulous managers, girls, alcohol or drugs.
Carol Harrison, writer and producer, explains why she chose the Mods as a subject matter for a musical..
I loved the music, I loved their humour, and they were just mod like me. You know what they say. Once a mod, always a mod. I grew up in the Sixties and I loved their music.
I also learned about their amazing rock n roll story and I thought it was an amazing tale. I also think they are the most unsung, underrated band of the Sixties. An awful lot of musicians have been influenced by them and still cite them as their idols. Bands like Ocean Colour Scene and musicians like Paul Weller have been very influenced by them.”
I wanted to tell their story and explore how they were so ripped off. Also because it is East End, I wanted to be in my language, be authentic and the way we speak. I wanted to use my Cockney language.
And here’s why we ought to catch All of Nothing when it arrives at the Theatre Royal this June –
I just want people to come and experience it, and be a part of the show. Everybody gets a great feeling. One night in London, we had a quarter of the audience getting up dancing. The over-40s get the chance to grow old disgracefully and the youngsters just love the music. You just can’t get tired of the music. We all sing it backstage.
Chris Simmons who played DCI Jack Meadows in The Bill becomes the older Steve Marriott from the Small Faces in this fun and entertaining musical; here’s what he had to say on why he signed up –
I read it and said to my agent,’ I have got to have this part.’ It sort of snowballed from there really. I fell in love with the way it was written, the narration, and I knew about Steve Marriott. It really is a wonderful, fantastic, ballsy, edgy, funny, dark, emotional piece and Carol’s writing is very funny. Steve is a bit Jekyll and Hyde. His energy is off the scale. My character also deteriorates in the second act which I have to plot carefully. It is the rise and fall of this band. In the first half he is hyper and watches them make it before reality kicks in during the second act. The journey is fantastic. My character is the ghost. Nobody sees me or knows I am there. The only time I speak to anyone is at the end but I won’t give that away as it is a lovely touching scene.
It’s gonna be a belter. Grab your skinny tie, jump on your Vespa, check your sideburns and we’ll see you down at the theatre.
All Or Nothing is at the Theatre Royal Norwich on Thursday 9th -Saturday 11th June at 7.30pm and there’s a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets £8-£25. Discounts for Groups and Friends.
To book, call the box office on 01603 630000 or go to www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
All or Nothing. It’s the title of one of the Small Faces biggest hits and a song which helps define mod culture. But it’s also the name of a brand new musical about the band and describes the battle to bring the show to the stage by its writer, producer and one of its stars Carol Harrison. Flash back 50 years to the height of mod madness in the UK and the Small Faces were one of the biggest names in music thanks to their earthy songs, incredible musicianship, a sharp look and stacks of swagger.
For many, the Small Faces’ music was the soundtrack of the mod era and the quartet became household names the world over. But, as ever, the perilous path to stardom (and beyond) is littered with booby traps be they unscrupulous managers, girls, alcohol or drugs.
Carol Harrison, writer and producer, explains why she chose the Mods as a subject matter for a musical..
I loved the music, I loved their humour, and they were just mod like me. You know what they say. Once a mod, always a mod. I grew up in the Sixties and I loved their music.
I also learned about their amazing rock n roll story and I thought it was an amazing tale. I also think they are the most unsung, underrated band of the Sixties. An awful lot of musicians have been influenced by them and still cite them as their idols. Bands like Ocean Colour Scene and musicians like Paul Weller have been very influenced by them.”
I wanted to tell their story and explore how they were so ripped off. Also because it is East End, I wanted to be in my language, be authentic and the way we speak. I wanted to use my Cockney language.
And here’s why we ought to catch All of Nothing when it arrives at the Theatre Royal this June –
I just want people to come and experience it, and be a part of the show. Everybody gets a great feeling. One night in London, we had a quarter of the audience getting up dancing. The over-40s get the chance to grow old disgracefully and the youngsters just love the music. You just can’t get tired of the music. We all sing it backstage.
Chris Simmons who played DCI Jack Meadows in The Bill becomes the older Steve Marriott from the Small Faces in this fun and entertaining musical; here’s what he had to say on why he signed up –
I read it and said to my agent,’ I have got to have this part.’ It sort of snowballed from there really. I fell in love with the way it was written, the narration, and I knew about Steve Marriott. It really is a wonderful, fantastic, ballsy, edgy, funny, dark, emotional piece and Carol’s writing is very funny. Steve is a bit Jekyll and Hyde. His energy is off the scale. My character also deteriorates in the second act which I have to plot carefully. It is the rise and fall of this band. In the first half he is hyper and watches them make it before reality kicks in during the second act. The journey is fantastic. My character is the ghost. Nobody sees me or knows I am there. The only time I speak to anyone is at the end but I won’t give that away as it is a lovely touching scene.
It’s gonna be a belter. Grab your skinny tie, jump on your Vespa, check your sideburns and we’ll see you down at the theatre.
All Or Nothing is at the Theatre Royal Norwich on Thursday 9th -Saturday 11th June at 7.30pm and there’s a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets £8-£25. Discounts for Groups and Friends.
To book, call the box office on 01603 630000 or go to www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
