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FLASHBACK 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, their 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.
And this combination of the perks and pitfalls of the music business are mixed in All Or Nothing, the punchy production from the pen of actress and writer Carol Harrison, which comes to the Belgrade Theatre from May 4-6.
It is the latest, and arguably the most important project in Carol’s career so far which has seen her do everything from stage work with the legendary Arthur Miller, a cameo in Quadrophenia, and major roles in some of TV’s biggest shows.
As Carol explains, All Or Nothing is deeply personal thanks to her long-term friendship with The Small Faces lead singer, the late Steve Marriott.
She said: “My aunt lived two streets away from his mum, my cousin knew him, and another cousin was in a band with him.
“He came round to our house when I was eight years old and he was just this amazing bundle of effervescence and talent. I had a bit of a crush on him.”
From that point on, Carol was hooked on the tunes, attitude and fashion of Steve and his bandmates. “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 became friends with Kenny Jones from the band and I am very close to Molly, Steve’s daughter.
“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.”
Ever the storyteller, Carol decided The Small Faces’ rise was something she wanted to share. She said: “I wanted to tell their story and explore how they were so ripped off.
“Also because it is East End, I wanted it to be in my language, be authentic and the way we speak. I wanted to use my Cockney language and convey the excitement and that whole subculture that exists.
“My writing comes from the heart. I wanted to tell the truth really and be authentic to them. Mollie is very happy with the way I portray Steve. He is a very complex character. It is warts-and-all but it is also a celebration of them. It was tragic how he died.”
And for Carol, it brings back many personal memories too, and not just about her love of The Small Faces. A relative produced Quadrophenia, she had her first taste of alcohol in the band’s local The Ruskin Arms, and she was a member of Kensington Youth Club where they did their first gig. But equally, she did not want to sugar-coat the band’s story or just copy other similar shows. Carol added: “I have never written a musical before. I like musicals but I didn’t want to write something that was just an excuse to play a song. I had to break down a lot of theatrical conventions with the show, but I have always broken rules. People said it should be fluffier or have someone from The X Factor playing Steve but my response was ‘over my dead body’.”
The show got its premiere in the Mod pilgrimage spot of Brighton Beach followed by a charity performance in Worthing, and then the show enjoyed its first long run in the intimate surroundings of The Vaults underneath London’s Waterloo Station where ticket demand was so high that the show extended its run.
Carol said: “The show has such a following and there are such lovely people out there. People have come to see the show from Finland, Holland, Vancouver, Manhattan, and on the first night a guy flew down on his own from Edinburgh with nowhere to stay, just to be here.”
Carol has enjoyed an incredible career. She was a founding member of the renowned Half Moon Theatre, joined the Royal National Theatre Company to work with the legendary Arthur Miller in Michael Redman’s acclaimed production of Death Of A Salesman, as well as productions for the likes of London’s Royal Court Theatre and the Liverpool Playhouse.
She also enjoyed a strong TV career appearing in a range of programmes including Kavanagh QC, London’s Burning and EastEnders.
Carol is keeping an open mind about whether to try and steer All Or Nothing into the West End. Whatever happens, she is excited to bring it to Coventry so Mods can recapture that era and everyone can share in The Small Faces story. “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.”
People said it should be fluffier or have someone from The X Factor playing Steve but my response was ‘over my dead body’
Tickets for the May 4, 5 & 6 shows are available on 024 7655 3055.