Review: Jersey Boys, UK Tour, The Palace Theatre, Manchester

Last night I went to see Jersey Boys at the Palace Theatre in Manchester for the press night of the 20th Anniversary Gala Performance. This was my third time seeing the show, and it is already one of my all-time favourite pieces of musical theatre, so I knew going in exactly what kind of night I was in for. What I didn’t expect was to fall for it all over again quite as hard as I did.

I have loved Frankie Valli since I was seven years old, when I first heard him belt out Grease Is the Word. As a band, The Four Seasons were so ingrained in the culture of growing up in the 70s and 80s. Even though they were technically a band of the 60s, their music was everywhere. Grease, Dirty Dancing, and Back to the Future all featured hits and rode the whole rock and roll love song revival of the 80s. This proves how much The Four Seasons transcend time.

What Is Jersey Boys About?

Jersey Boys tells the true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, taking us from the streets of New Jersey all the way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe, the show is told in a clever, autobiographical style where each member of the band steps forward to narrate their own version of events. It means you get the highs, the lows and everything messy in between, told from four completely different points of view.

Since it first opened more than twenty years ago, Jersey Boys has picked up many major awards and been seen by millions of people worldwide. Its original West End run lasted nine years, and every tour since has continued to pull in the crowds. This 20th Anniversary Tour is staged by the original creative team, with direction by Des McAnuff and choreography by Sergio Trujillo, so it stays true to the production that made the show such a phenomenon in the first place.

My Review of Jersey Boys at the Palace Theatre, Manchester

The show tracks the highs and lows of the band in that autobiographical style, and it keeps you hooked from the very first note. The numbers are all huge, and every single one lands with real impact.

Luke Baker is the perfect Frankie Valli. The voice is exactly what you want and need it to be: powerful and pure. But he also brings the emotion of the story with him, not just the notes. Whilst Lewis Kennedy plays Nick Massi as the band member who is always going with the flow, and he brings so much dry charm and swagger to the character.

Carlo Boumouglbay portrays Tommy DeVito as the tortured, wild boy of the group, and he does it perfectly. And Toby Miles portrays Bob Gaudio, the genius behind the music, and gives a performance that is quieter but no less brilliant, anchoring the group as the calm one holding everything together.

All of the cast are incredibly talented, and the voices are on point across the board. It felt like an authentic but current portrayal of a classic story. It just does not age.

The Staging and Atmosphere

The set is simple but works perfectly to create every scene. It moves the story through the years without slowing it down or getting in the way of what matters, which is the music.

The atmosphere at the Palace Theatre was electric, and the standing ovation was instant. The whole auditorium was on its feet before the final note had even properly landed, which tells you everything you need to know about how much this show still connects with an audience, even after twenty years.

Jersey Boys remains right up there in my top shows. And this 20th Anniversary production cemented that. I am going again next week, and I honestly cannot wait to do it all again.

Where Can You See Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys plays at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday 19 September 2026, before continuing on its UK and Ireland tour.

• Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 12 Oct – Sat 17 Oct 2026
• Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 26 Oct – Sat 31 Oct 2026
• The Alexandra, Birmingham, Mon 2 Nov – Sat 21 Nov 2026
• New Theatre Oxford, Tue 26 Jan – Sat 30 Jan 2027
• King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 16 Feb – Sat 27 Feb 2027
• Swansea Building Society Arena, Tue 9 Mar – Sat 13 Mar 2027
• Woking Theatre, Mon 26 Apr – Sat 1 May 2027
• Sunderland Empire, Tue 25 May – Sat 5 Jun 2027
• Milton Keynes Theatre, Mon 5 Jul – Sat 17 Jul 2027
• Liverpool Empire, Mon 19 Jul – Sat 24 Jul 2027

Please note I was gifted the tickets, but under no obligation to review. See here for parking advice to get theatre parking rates.