All Or Nothing The Mod Musical

The Small Faces, one of the most influential yet underrated bands of the 60s, and its lead singer Steve Marriott, are the subject matter of this colourful cockney musical – All or Nothing.

I’m not a Mod, and I’m not a theatre goer, but I do like the Small Faces, and I do like good music. I had tickets for the event, a mid-week showing, and nothing else to do… so what did I have to lose? I turned up to the show, its first night in town, expecting the place to be half-empty, but it was packed. A couple of jars in the lounge bar to get me warmed up, the show started, and I was hooked from the first line uttered on stage (well, off stage…but I’ll leave you to find that bit out when you go and see it).

Following the rise and demise of the band, the production focuses on the four years between 1965 and 1969, from the band’s beginning to frontman Steve Marriott’s departure. Narrated by an older, and somewhat humorous manifestation of Marriott, the show gives an accurate and gritty depiction of the band, its members, those surrounding them… and of course, the music. The appearance of characters of the era such as Dusty Springfield, P P Arnold, Sonny and Cher and Tony Blackburn are a welcome inclusion in the show.

By the end of the production, the audience and cast were positively buzzing. It was a tight, well put together show, and while we walked out with a definite feelgood factor due to the closing crescendo of songs, the story itself took you through the gritty highs and lows of Steve and the band in close, accurate and raw detail. Did it make me a theatre convert? No. Did it make me a born again Mod? No. Was it fun, sad, brilliant, entertaining and did it provide a roller coaster ride throughout.

All or Nothing, written by and starring Carol Harrison, features all the favourite hits of the Small Faces including Lazy Sunday, Tin Soldier, Itchycoo Park and of course All or Nothing. In my opinion, this is without doubt, the coolest musical ever. A fitting tribute to not only Steve Marriott but also Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, early member Jimmy Winston and Ian McLagan.

All Or Nothing – The Mod Musical is playing a limited season at The Arts Theatre in London, before hitting the road on a UK Tour through 2018. For more info visit: www.allornothingmusical.com