By: Cathryn Macey, TRP Reviewer
You’ve heard of their hits including Saturday Night at the Movies and Under the Boardwalk, but have you heard about the woman behind The Drifters huge success? Probably not.
Faye Treadwell was The Drifters’ feisty and fearless manager and Drifters Girl is her inspiring story.
Even today, 70 years on from the start of Faye’s career, the music industry is sometimes accused of being too male dominated. So, it’s hard to imagine the obstacles Faye (Carly Mercedes Dyer) faced as a black, unmarried female starting out in a world where usually the only women in the office were white secretaries. This is what is special about the show; the soundtrack is familiar and fun, but its narrative is bold and original.
It starts with a harmonious medley of The Drifters hits before shifting to an important court case that threatens to destroy Treadwell’s hard-earned reputation. With more line up changes than The Sugababes, it’s hardly surprising that a lot of counterfeit groups gigging across America start claiming to be The Drifters. A now widowed Faye must prove that she has, and always will, manage the authentic version of the band.
And so, we go back in time to 1954 when a feisty young Faye impresses her future husband (George Treadwell) when he overhears her taking no nonsense from a flirtatious Nat King Cole at a club. Bowled over by Faye’s refreshing attitude and shrewd business sense, George (Miles Anthony Daley) soon appoints Faye as The Drifter’s co manager and her transformation from school administrator to international music mogul begins.
During this glorious transition, Mercede Dyer’s traditional 1950’s pastel shift dress is swiftly updated with the addition of a glamorous, ankle length silver coat which she quickly pairs with sophisticated long gloves. This is the first of many impressive costume changes engineered by costume designer, Laura Hunt. As the set mainly consists of large grey and black blocks with a texture evocative of a recording studio, these dazzling costume changes really stand out. It’s just one of many moving moments enhanced by the winning combination of on-stage talent, set design, live music and lighting.
The performance maybe, in some ways, an unashamedly upbeat romp through The Drifters large back catalogue of iconic hits, but it’s also an unflinching account of life in a racially segregated America. Jonathan Church directs a show which doesn’t shy away from tough topics. Subjects like conscription, racism and drug addiction are all powerfully explored over the course of the evening.
That said, there are many joyous and harmonious renditions of the group’s biggest hits. The cast playing the different variations of The Drifters (Ashford Campbell, Tarik Frimpong and Daniel Haswell) all exude a lot of infectious energy and unbridled enthusiasm. Not only can they all sing with voices as smooth as Bruno Mars, but they also gyrate like Elvis.
Although we learn about the complicated lives of its many band members, the spotlight rightly belongs to its star, Faye Treadwell (Carly Mercedes Dyer). Dyer’s connection with the audience is strong and made even stronger during her solo performances; her flawless version of “Stand by me” silences a lively audience. This rearrangement of a famous song to express Faye’s grief is particularly memorable and more evidence of Mercedes Dyer’s unique talent for expressing heartfelt emotion when she sings.
The history behind this story is fascinating, the cast are all phenomenally talented and learning about Faye’s personal and political struggles is hugely inspirational.
This really is a wonderful show that must be seen – you don’t even need to know who The Drifters are to enjoy it! It’s one for anyone interested in popular culture, music and trail blazing women like the awesome Faye Treadwell.
Grab a ticket and be prepared to leave The Lyric both educated and energised!