Rave On is a musical show which loosely relates the history of Rock ‘n Roll during the 1950’s and 1960’s. It’s popularity relies heavily on nostalgia of the songs featured and the audience aged mainly 60+ with a few exceptions attending, reflected this.
The performers in the six piece band are talented musicians and singers, lead vocalist Olliver Seymour Marsh and female soloist Victoria Bass taking the lead on vocals throughout.
Seymour Marsh’s looks and gyrating hips, aka Elvis, Billy Fury etc., lend themselves to the 1950’s genre whilst Bass pulls off the looks and vibrant traits of the 50’s and 60’s iconic style with her costumes and effervescence.
The opening number, Eddie Cochran’s ‘C’mon Everybody’ set the mood for the evening with Seymour March on vocals and three guitarist’s taking centre stage, the drummer and keyboard player elevated on platforms at the back of the stage.
Wanda Jackson’s ‘Let’s Have a Party’ followed with Bass on vocals dressed in denim jeans and a Bardot style top, aka 50’s style. She has a powerful voice and gives each performance energy and vitality encouraging the audience to clap along and join in. In between each song both vocalists provided information such as the establishment of Sun Recording Studios by Sam Phillips in Memphis and TV shows of the eras, such as Ready, Steady, Go, Oh Boy, Top Of The Pops and Juke Box Jury.
Seymour Marsh acknowledged the talents of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Cliff Richard and there was a section lauding the popularity of skiffle music citing Lonnie Donagan as the UK leader of its popularity. The five male musicians performed skiffle favourites, ‘Rock Island Line’, ‘Cumberland Gap’ and ‘Mama Don’t Allow No Skiffle Playing in Here’ on the washboard and double bass with cardboard box, front of stage.
The songs and songwriting skills of Buddy Holly and his untimely death were remembered and 50’s favourite pin-up girl, Connie Francis with Bass singing, ‘Lipstick On Your Collar and ‘Stupid Cupid’ followed by the popular Bill Hayley hit, ‘Rock Around the Clock’ which seemed to strike a chord with the audience who as the first half finished, were enjoying joining in the singing and doing the hand jive.
The second half started with the band dressed in Beatle suits and remembering their implosion on the music scene with hits such as ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, ‘Please, Please Me’ and ‘Twist and Shout’ which had some of the audience up from their seats, dancing in the aisles.
There were tributes in song to Carole King, The Beach Boys and Nancy Sinatra with ‘These Boots Were Made For Walking’. Vocalist, Bass was dressed in a 60’s style mini dress with white knee high boots, sporting a white headband and white plastic hoop earrings, no doubt bringing back memories of 1960’s fashion to the ladies in the audience. Bass danced, Go-Go style to many of the numbers and her energy reverberated to the audience who were loving every minute, The Swinging Blue Jeans, ‘Hippy, Hippy Shake’ was extremely popular, as was Bass’s rendition of Dusty Springfield’s ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ which she related was originally penned for Aretha Franklin.
The set was constant throughout with retro posters on the backdrop depicting icons from the 50’s and 60’s such as Little Richard, Twiggy, The Beatles, Sun Studios and Ray Charles and each performer had a retro mic. Spotlights hanging from the ceiling changed colours at different times and helped set the atmosphere for each song.
Lead vocalist, Oliver Seymour Marsh along with guitarist Dan Graham are joint Producers/Writers for the show and are the co-writers and creators of Rock and Roll Revolution, a production which toured around the UK for three years.
This was a one-night performance with Rave On touring the UK; details may be found at www.raveontour.com for future events.
Reviewer: Anne Pritchard
Reviewed: 12th February 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 4 out of 5.
