Review: Mods & Rox – New Wolsey


The autumn season at the New Wolsey Theatre has opened with a bang, with a brand new musical, Mods and Rox. This year the team at the New Wolsey has joined forces with Paul Sirett, writer of Reasons to Be Cheerful, the hugely popular collaboration with the Graeae theatre Company, to create a musical version of Cyrano de Bergerac, using ‘mod’ songs from the Swinging Sixties.

• Peter Manchester as Cyril and Francesca Jackson as Rox. (Photo by Mike Kwasniak)
Cyril is the best dressed, roughest toughest king of the mods who falls in love with childhood sweetheart Rox, only problem is Rox sees Cyril as just an old friend and her affections lie else where, with Italian stunner, Christiano. Added to this the fact that Cyril, because of his very large nose, sees himself as ugly and no match for Christiano, and because of his love for Rox, helps the Italian Stallion win her heart with the aid of a very special song.

Extremely funny in places and very moving in others, Mods and Rox is a fast paced, high-energy production. The cast of talented actor musicians are truly brilliant – something we have come to expect from New Wolsey shows and this is one performance that doesn’t disappoint.

Photo-by-Mike-Kwasniak

Photo-by-Mike-Kwasniak
With outstanding performances from all the cast, it’s very hard to single anybody out. Peter Manchester is perfectly cast as Cyril, and Francessa Jackson, the only female, in this otherwise all male cast, was brilliant as Rox. And Tich, played by James Haggie, what a huge voice from such an unassuming guy!

Will Cyril get his girl? – Well, you’ll just have to book your tickets and go see Mods & Rox to find out… and along the way you are in for a truly musical treat.

Mods & Rox is at the New Wolsey Theatre until Saturday 29th September. To book tickets contact the Box Office on 01473 295900 or visit www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

WENDY COOK —
Ipswich24