DISCO VIBES, DAZZLING COSTUMES, AND KC CLASSICS, BUT A STORY THAT LEFT ME WANTING MORE

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

There’s no denying the music of KC and the Sunshine Band can get you moving. “Boogie Shoes” and “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” are just two of many guaranteed floor fillers. So, on paper a stage show built around them should be a sure fire hit, right? And while Get Down Tonight delivered the glitter, dancing, and nostalgia, the story itself just didn’t hit the high note for me.

The show aims to tell the story of Harry Wayne Casey (KC) and the friendships and love that shaped the rise of his “Sunshine Sound.” It’s a heartfelt idea; celebrating connection, community, and joy, but it sometimes feels like it skims the surface. There are hints of jealousy, grief, and love tangled into the narrative, yet these moments are brushed past so quickly that they don’t have the impact they could. Life is messy, disco or not, and a little more time leaning into that would have made the story easier to connect to.

WHERE THE STORY WOBBLES, THE ENSEMBLE BRINGS THE SPARKLE

Ross Harmon sometimes felt swamped in the role of Harry. I couldn’t tell if that was intentional; was it meant to be a slow-burn character arc or just a mismatch. Either way, the real firepower came from the ensemble. The vocals, the choreography, and the sheer energy they brought, that’s what had me smiling. I think I would have been happier with a straight-up KC and the Sunshine Band concert, no story involvement.

Visually, the production does a lot with a small space. The set makes smart use of Charing Cross Theatre, while the costumes bring all the fun you’d hope for. Think tie dye, sparkle, hippie vibes and a splash of silver disco flair. The only downside? The lighting. Disco should dazzle, but a few of those flashes were less “Saturday Night Fever” and more “shield your eyes.”

Still, the music is irresistible. Even when the plot lost me, I was bopping along in my seat, swept up by the groove. Get Down Tonight isn’t quite the full mirrorball package, but it does capture the spirit of the 70s and the joy of KC’s music. For me, it’s one of those “has promise but fell short” moments. Worth seeing if you’re here for the songs and sparkle rather than the story.

Get Down Tonight is running at Charing Cross Theatre until Saturday 15 November.

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Photo Credit: Danny Kaan