The One with Ben Caplan - Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks

The multi Olivier award-winning hit musical Sunny Afternoon returns to Milton Keynes Theatre, bringing the music of The Kinks to the city from Tue 24 - Sat 28Mar.Simon went to see the showTake a band you know, but a story you might not. Sunny Afternoon transports us to 1960s Muswell Hill, capturing the sharp threads, close-knit family ties, and defiant attitudes of the era. At its heart are Ray and Dave Davies: two brothers bound by a love for music but divided by their search for a specific sound. We see Ray’s uncompromising vision firsthand in the moment he rips a speaker cone to birth the distorted, powerhouse rock classic "You Really Got Me."The production flows seamlessly through the band’s meteoric rise and turbulent stumbles—from navigating shady managers and finding true love to the infamous US union ban and the literal onstage brawls that sent them packing for home. The set design is clever and immersive; a recording studio framed by a "wall to wall" graveyard of amps and speakers, with props that slickly transform the space into various global locations.Danny Horn and Oliver Hoare (both reprising their acclaimed West End roles) embody Ray and Dave with a brilliant, biting chemistry. Their sibling rivalry feels authentic and lived-in.When the music hits—and it hits often—it is electrifying. Whether it’s a single distorted chord, a soaring melody, or a stripped-back a cappella moment, you cannot fail to be moved. The sheer talent of this versatile cast is staggering; seeing actors pick up brass instruments or watching Ben Caplan (as Eddie Kassner) having the time of his life behind the drum kit adds a wonderful layer of energy to the performance.Even with a limited prior knowledge of The Kinks’ discography, I left the theatre immediately diving into their back catalogue (and discovered the fascinating history of the songs they sold to the likes of Sonny and Cher). Sunny Afternoon is a musical masterclass with a story that refuses to give up.Stepping into the legendary shoes of The Kinks, Danny Horn (Sunny Afternoon, WestEnd) will play ‘Ray Davies’, Oliver Hoare (Sunny Afternoon, West End) will play ‘Dave Davies’, Harry Curley (Sing Street, Lyric Hammersmith) will play ‘Peter Quaife’, andZakarie Stokes will play ‘Mick Avory’. These four form the iconic band at the heart of Sunny Afternoon.Returning from the original Hampstead Theatre and West End companies are Ben Caplan as ‘Eddie Kassner’ and Tam Williams as ‘Grenville Collins’, and from the original UK Tour are Victoria Anderson as ‘Gwen’, Deryn Edwards as ‘Mrs. Davies’, Joseph Richardson as ‘Robert Wace’, Lisa Wright as ‘Rasa’ and James Hudson. The company is completed by Alicia Ally, Morgan Burgess, James Chisholm, Phil Corbitt, Alasdair Craig, Dominic Gee-Burch, Kristian Jacobs, Robin Johnson, Sorrel Jordan, Jada Langley, Timothy Roberts, Georgiana Wainwright-Jones and Emily Whitby-SamwaysProducer Sonia Friedman said today, “From the very first workshop we produced, when I heard that incredible music played live in the room, I knew I had to produce this show. The songs don’t just get under your skin – they live in your veins, they stay with you forever.Paired with such honest, powerful storytelling, Sunny Afternoon became one of the most unforgettable theatre experiences of my life. To see it go on to win multiple Olivier Awards,including Best New Musical, was simply extraordinary – but what really matters to me is that the spirit of The Kinks’ music and their story still connects so deeply with audiences today. I’ve missed this show, so I’m beyond thrilled that it’s back on the road, giving new generations the chance to experience – or relive – the sheer joy, energy and heart of Sunny Afternoon. Huge congratulations to the brilliant company keeping its spirit alive.”