Hanging on to hits of a unique sound

A hit musical that won 57 major awards worldwide and been seen by more than 25m people is still going strong.

Jersey Boys tells the true-life story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, invented their own unique sound and sold 175m records before they turned 30.

The second UK and Ireland tour of the Tony, Olivier and Grammy award-winning musical visits Nottingham for the first time this month, starting a two-week run at the Royal Concert Hall next Wednesday (May 9).

Jersey Boys, which first opened in London’s Prince Edward Theatre in 2008 and closed in the capital last year, follows the rise to stardom of Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons.

The four, from New Jersey in the US, became one of the most successful bands in pop history.

The show is packed with their hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What A Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.

There are a total of 35 of the band’s favourite songs throughout the musical, which has won Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann awards.

Each of the four band members narrates their story from their own point of view as arguments, money troubles and strained relationships are laid bare.

Michael Watson will be playing Frankie Valli, Simon Bailey will be Tommy De Vito, Declan Egan will be Bob Gaudio and Lewis Griffiths will be Nick Massi.

They have all previously performed their roles to great acclaim — Michael and Simon in the West End, Declan in the West End and Australia, and Lewis on the first UK and Ireland tour.

Michael made his West End debut in We Will Rock You and was in the original London casts of Imagine This, Sister Act and Shrek The Musical.

A founder member of theatre super-group Teatro, Simon played Raoul in The Phantom Of The Opera.

His other West End credits include I Can’t Sing: The X Factor Musical and We Will Rock You.

Declan has toured the US in The Book Of Mormon and Lewis Griffiths played Johnny Castle in a recent tour of Dirty Dancing.