Caroline: A New Musical at New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich Review
Jake Halsey-Jones in Caroline. Image Credit: Will Green
Written by Eleanor B for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are our own
Radio Caroline was the first “pirate” radio station in the UK, broadcasting from a modified Dutch passenger ship moored just off the Essex coast.
Written by Vikki Stone, directed by Douglas Rintoul, and co-directed by Alex Thorpe, this show tells the story of how Radio Caroline came to be, and how it changed the sound of radio forever. Without stations like Caroline, we wouldn’t have platforms like BBC Radio 1, and this production brings that history to life through a warm and engaging story, with a love story woven throughout.
Although it is based on real events, some artistic licence has been taken with the characters. Many are inspired by real figures rather than using their exact names. Robbie, Radio Caroline’s Essex boy heartthrob, draws on the life of Tony Blackburn, while Declan, the station’s founder, is inspired by Roman O’Rahilly.
I went into this show with very little knowledge of Radio Caroline, aside from seeing the occasional advert along Suffolk’s A roads. You do not need any prior understanding to enjoy it, as the story gives a clear and engaging overview of the station’s origins and impact.
This is a full actor-muso production, with every cast member playing at least one instrument during the show. It all feels completely natural and well integrated into the storytelling, whether it is the Radio Caroline jingle that opens the show or the many toe-tapping 60s classics performed throughout. With songs like My Generation and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, the soundtrack is full of energy and gives the entire company a chance to showcase their vocals.
I was particularly impressed by Jake Halsey-Jones as Robbie, and Claire Lee Shenfield as Caroline, Robbie’s girlfriend and later his wife. Their vocals feel effortless, and their chemistry brings a real warmth to the story, making their relationship genuinely engaging to watch.
Gareth Cooper plays the Postmaster General, a character representing the various MPs who held the role during the period. He strikes a great balance as the antagonist, never overplaying it. He works brilliantly alongside his secretary, played by Jerome Lincoln, whose slightly less-than-helpful nature adds plenty of humour.
Declan, played by Joey Hickman, and Kitty, played by Rhiannon Hopkins, form the driving force behind Radio Caroline. Declan’s determination as founder, paired with Kitty’s sharp business sense and advertising background, creates a strong partnership, even with the inevitable tension that comes from running something so close to the edge of the law. Eloise Richards shines as Mary, Caroline’s best friend, bringing humour and emotional support while Robbie is at sea.
In supporting roles, Nicola Bryan as Caroline’s mum, James Laurence as Steven, another Radio Caroline DJ, and Perry Meadowcroft as Dave the Fish, the all-important tender captain delivering supplies to MV Caroline, all add depth and character to the story.
At around 140 minutes including an interval, it is a longer show, but it never feels unnecessary. If anything, with such a rich and fascinating history, it feels like there is even more that could be explored.
Following its two-week run at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, this production, presented by the East Anglian Touring Consortium, continues its tour to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, New Theatre Peterborough, Colchester’s Mercury Theatre and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
Find out more and book here.
★★★★★
