Wilko: Love and Death and Rock 'N' Roll is an aptly named self-proclaimed "play with music" about the life and legacy of Wilko Johnson, founder and band member of the well-known Essex rock band Dr. Feelgood. Written by Jonathan Maitland and directed by Dugald Bruce Lockhart, the play focuses on the highlights of Wilko's life alongside a wonderful musical tribute to the band.
Maitland chooses to centre the play around a rather pivotal moment of Wilko's life; being told he has cancer and has a year at the longest. Following this, Wilko reflects on his life, treating the audience to a half extended monologue, and half array of flashback scenes that eventually run into the moment that most the audience are eagerly awaiting; a performance as Dr. Feelgood. The play chooses to keep both the songs and the scenes to a minimum, allowing for Wilko (Johnson Willis) to dominate the play with his trademark wit and love for literature, as countless classic novels help piece together the bouts of self-reflection. With only 12 months left to live, Wilko Johnson sets out on a farewell tour, vowing to spend the year living larger than ever, and doing what he loves.
Willis does a remarkable job as Wilko Johnson, taking on the iconic rockstar role with a fiery passion. Willis is likeable and charming enough to disarm audiences into believing him as a young lover, and has the audience chuckling along to his quips and are convinced by his arguments. There are a few moments, however, where Willis' dramatic performance takes away from the tenderness in more somber moments, but on the whole he demonstrates a wonderful revival of the beloved star.
Willis is joined by Georgina Field, Jon House and David John as his fellow bandmates and Georgina Fairbanks as Wilko's wife, Irene. The four bandmates come together to create a wonderful and undeniable electricity in the room with their talent and vigour, creating the play's stand out moments. Whilst John (Big Figure) and Field (Sparko) provide feet tapping and head-bopping music, the two characters are several underdeveloped, often overused to fill in the sound. This is a shame, especially as John and Field are both strong performers as demonstrated by the few scenes that they had.
House as Dr. Feelgood lead singer, Lee Brilleaux, is another pillar of the play, fulfilling the potential that the play promises. With the strongest performance of the night, House leaves a lasting impression on audiences, whether it's with his confrontational nature or his audience engagement and powerful vocals. Fairbanks as Irene single-handedly provides the emotional depth that the play so desperately needs, with her delightful and sweet portrayal. Fairbanks shines in the role, whether as a proud Canvey islander, a protective and fiesty wife, a betrayed lover, or a defeated mother, and her performance results in a more heartfelt play overall.
The does a good job at capturing the spirit of Wilko Johnson, yet it tries to cram in a monumental man's entire life journey in 120 minutes (including an interval and five-six songs), resulting in a passages of time being unaccounted for. The most glaring examples are perhaps when Wilko's tense relationship with his parents and childhood is given a short scene and never quite continued. Similarly an affair that impedes his and Irene's otherwise happy marriage is shockingly never brought up again, losing the emotional momentum it sought.
The play is structured like a visual memoir, which is an effective and creative method of framing the story, especially with plentiful moments of breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience directly. Whilst this made individual scenes easier to follow, it took away from the more theatrical impact of the flashbacks.
Wilko's life took him around the world as a rock star, adored and admired internationally, and hailed as a living legend. And yet the production designer Nicolai Hart- Hansen chooses to set the play in a casual and intimate rehearsal space, reminiscent of a small garage band set up, highlighting his humble beginnings and true love of music. Stripped away of any glamour, the play focuses on the storytelling elements of the music, with Irene and Canvey Island serving as muses, the authentic voices that propelled Dr. Feelgood to such success feels alive again in this play.
James Stokes and Simon Slater as lighting and sound designers respectively help transform this small set into an arena stage with spotlights, and reverberating sound levels, treating the small Southwark Playhouse audience to a first hand large scale concert gig.
Wilko Johnson has, rightfully so, left a lasting legacy in the British music scene, which extends far beyond a play, leaving audiences warmed up and wanting more. A highly enjoyable play, with fantastic music that's transportive to the band's glory days and a must-watch for Wilko Johnson fans.
Wilko: Love and Death and Rock'N'Roll runs at Southwark Playhouse until 19th April.
★★★☆☆ (3*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Mark Sepple
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