A massive hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, this show is a timeless, joyous, authentic exploration of the life and times of Woody Guthrie, “the original folk hero” (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). Guthrie was born in 1912 into extreme poverty in Oklahoma, the family struggling to make ends meet after a catastrophic house fire. When he grew up, he would find scraps of work throughout the Great Depression, but often there wasn’t sufficient work even in the orchards of California and desperate families would find themselves in debt to the Company Shop. He lost his mother to mental illness, which was eventually diagnosed as the Huntingdon’s Disease that would also cruelly afflict him in later life. Having sung songs at his mother’s knee, he took his guitar all over the US, playing songs of social protest on radio shows that often objected to his political views. His songs painted bankers as ruthless men deliberately ruining the lives of the working men and women of the USA and railed against politicians of both the left and right who he saw as being against the interests of the people and out for their own ends.
Although this is a typically American story of struggle and defiance, and more than a little tragedy, it resonates with audiences everywhere, and the songs remain as meaningful today as they were when Guthrie was touring the US. The four ultra-talented actor-musicians (Raquel Chavez, Nyssa Grant, David Finch and David M Lutken) play multiple instruments, their voices blending beautifully as they portray this folk legend’s enduring story of struggle and resilience through his own words and songs.
This show is a masterpiece of simple effective storytelling, beautifully told, with a message for the ages.
Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie is at the Underbelly Soho until 19th September with post-performance Hootenannys with the cast after the Thursday shows. Tickets are available from: https://underbellyboulevard.com/tickets/
Reviewer: Carole Gordon
Reviewed: 9th September 2026
North West End UK Rating:
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