Ain’t Too Proud is a feel-good jive through the history of Motown’s iconic band The Temptations
JUKEBOX musicals have been popular for ages, but Ain’t Too Proud might just snatch the top spot.
The new West End musical chronicles the life and times of Motown band The Temptations.
It mixes their music with the stories of the original members including drug addictions, alcohol abuse and death – with Otis Williams as the narrator.
I wasn’t familiar with the story of The Temptations and despite how many members were featured, it was easy to follow along.
It’s a carefully choreographed trip back to the height of Motown that makes you forget what era you live in.
The cast has been expertly selected for their incredible singing talents.
The standout vocalist for me is Cameron Bernard Jones in his role as bass Melvin Franklin.
His smooth undertone steals almost every song for me.
Kyle Cox (Paul Williams), Sifiso Mazibuko (Otis Williams), Tosh Wanogho-Maud (David Ruffin), and Mitchell Zhangzha (Eddie Kendricks) don’t miss their chance to shine when it comes.
In fact, I felt intensely irritated by Wanogho-Maud’s David which just goes to show how well he pulled off the selfish singer.
And Cox is successful in stealing your heart as hopeless romantic Paul – especially when he begs to be taken back into the group.
The cast takes pride in showing off their acting chops, handling drug addiction scenes with ease.
Watching the group pretending to be on a rolling high while trying to persuade founder Otis to join in had me in stitches of laughter.
But the big bum note for me is when Otis’s statutory rape of his girlfriend then wife Josephine Rogers was referenced and quickly brushed over in a section about their marriage.
It left a sour taste in my mouth that was hard to shake and could have been avoided if they’d fully addressed it.
One thing that did make me forget was the breezy routines the actors did to each of the musical numbers.
The supporting cast switched easily between characters and I hardly noticed Evonnee Bentley-Holder appear as three different characters.
Overall, it’s a feel-good night out that makes you forget the modern era.
Ain’t Too Proud
Prince Edward Theatre
★★★★
