Get Down Tonight Review (Charing Cross Theatre, London)

01 October 2025 I 19:30 I Charing Cross Theatre, London

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I PR - Invite

Undeniably fun and flamboyant, new musical Get Down Tonight inspired by the life of KC And The Sunshine Band frontman Harry Wayne Casey and documented in J.F. Lawton's book, is a deeply personal yet relatable production for all audiences. Directed by Lisa Stevens, the story follows KC and his friends Dee, Gina and Orly through their daily endeavours and emotional rollercoasters.

As the house lights first dim, audiences are surprised with a welcome from Casey himself, introducing the musical as a story of his life, inspirations, career, and the people he values most. He has a strong commitment to the musical, to greet the audience on occasion. He exits the stage, stating he is on in two minutes, then the stage bursts with light, music and dancers in a confident opening.

Photography Credit: Danny Kaan

The ensemble sparkle in their glittery, reflective costumes with original design from Tom Rogers, together with choreography by Stevens and Sierra Brewerton. Nearly all costumes and props are bedazzled including pink army guns when Orly (Adam Taylor) first appears. The actors seamlessly change between an array of costumes, despite there being quite so many!

Visually, this musical is an aesthetic dream. From incredible stage pictures paired with lighting designs by Jai Morjaria, to the energetic use of space upon Bretta Gerecke's set. The staging of the duet between Harry (Ross Harmon) and Gina (Annabelle Terry) is an emotionally touching moment, which really resonates with audiences as a testament to unrequited love. This is an instance where, although the musical is biographical of Casey’s life, the universality allows audiences to feel the show.

Where the musical falls short of its potential is its story, which is framed with a meta-theatricality. With the events of Harry’s life outlined to be episodic, the actors break the fourth wall too frequently, thus disrupting the narrative and compromising dramatic tensions. Despite this, there are some heartfelt moments, especially when the group of friends are seated at a bench in multiple scenes, holding semblance to the Friends sofa, leaving an impression that this is ‘their spot’.

Photography Credit: Danny Kaan

Another motif that follows this is displayed through Harry's breaking of the fourth wall, only wanting to show the good parts. Paige Fenlon's Dee then reminds him that the bad parts have to be shown because they are crucial to the story, in a powerful message of acceptance as a reminder to not let the bad times outweigh the good.

With the nature of a jukebox musical, some audience members may quietly sing to themselves or sway in their seats throughout the performance. So when the cast invite the audience to join them in their ‘boogie’ under the disco ball in the show's finale, an enthused audience don’t need to be told twice! The auditorium bursts with joy, encouraged to sing along to KC and the Sunshine Band’s greatest hits including That’s The Way (I Like It).

Overall, Get Down Tonight really is a feel good production, highly commendable for a laugh with your closest friends and family at London's Charing Cross Theatre!

Tickets & Info: https://www.kcsunshinebandmusical.com/