Five Guys Named Moe

Five Guys Named Moe is one of these shows that I had always heard of but had never seen or indeed really knew much about. However when it was announced that they were performing it in a pop up theatre in central London I knew that this was the perfect opportunity to check it out.

As I found out Five Guys Named Moe tells of Nomax whose girlfriend has just kicked him out. After a large amount of booze is consumed he turns on the radio to help him ease his sorrows and out of the radio comes 5 guys….all named Moe. They take on the task of getting him back on the straight and narrow and hopefully back with his girl. All of this comes with the help of the hits of ‘jazz king’ Louis Jordan such as ‘Saturday Night Fish Fry,’ ‘Let The Good Time Roll’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens.’

First things first this version of Five Guys Named Moe is not a show, it is an experience. From the moment you enter the pop up Marble Arch theatre you are immersed into the world of jazz and New Orleans. Live music is played in the bar and bourbon is served. This continued throughout and even during the interval you heard yet more vocal talent from the team.

Once transported into the auditorium and the show commenced you know you are in for a treat. Edward Baruwa as Nomax simply had to open his mouth and a stunning jazz voice came spilling out. The delights continued as soon as the Moe’s appeared on stage. Each Moe had a distinctive personality, cracking humour and tons of stage presence.

Little Moe played by Idris Kargbo shone with his dance moves and Know Moe played by Dex Lee performs with equally impressive twinkle toes adding unexpected choreographic elements to the show.  Each Moe is given their moment to shine with solo numbers but the best moments are when they were all on stage together, bouncing off each other very naturally. ‘Safe, Sane and Single’ with the Moe’s tight, fun and perfectly timed choreography shows this off to a t. The band equally feel like they have been taken straight out of a smokey club with a distinctive jazz sound. This combined with the Moe’s harmonies makes for a match made in jazz heaven.

The distinctive thing about this show is the fun and energy. When the signs around the theatre say ‘There Ain’t No Party Like A Five Guys Party,’ they weren’t wrong. The cast were bursting with enthusiasm and really made me want to party with them. The show was well directed with the outer ring of the stage and the revolve meaning that the cast literally were out among the audience, helping their infectious energy spread even further.

The show was polished within an inch of its life and little details considered from the smoking hat (literally) during Choo Choo Ch’Boogie to the snips of hair flung over Nomax’s shoulders while the Moe’s try to straighten him out.

This isn’t a story line that will move you or win any prizes but the show is clearly about the jazz music of a byegone era. This was the most fun I’ve had at a show in a considerable time. Get down to Marble Arch Theatre to get a little slice of the 1940’s New Orleans party vibe here in London.

To find out more about Five Guys Named Moe you can visit their website. Booking has just extended until February 2018.

If you liked my review of Five Guys Named Moe you might also like my review of Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar at Regents Park and Son of A Preacher Man.