Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night has inspired many modern interpretations over the years and, if jazz is your thing, then Play On! is worth a watch.

Presented by leading Black British theatre company Talawa, in partnership with the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, the musical is on a UK tour as part of the 2024 Black Joy season.

Currently on stage at Salisbury Playhouse, this all-singing, all-dancing production, featuring a Duke Ellington score, is set in the 1940s New York jazz scene.

Tsemaye Bob-Egbe plays Viola, a talented young jazz musician who has travelled from Mississippi to Harlem’s Cotton Club in search of her uncle Jester (played by Andre Coulson – standing in for Llewellyn Jamal on the night I went). Viola hopes her uncle can help her realise her dream of becoming a songwriter, but Jester tells his naïve young niece ‘songwriting is a man’s world’. Not prepared to give in, Viola disguises herself as a man – calling herself Vyman. She is introduced to bandleader The Duke (Earl Gregory), who is in love with star singer, Lady Liv (Koko Alexandra). The Duke sends Vyman to woo Lady Liv in the hope her songs will win her heart.

Sensational singing and dazzling dance moves are performed by 16 actors to musical scores from a live five-piece band.

Loosely following the Twelfth Night storyline – there’s Viola, The Duke (Orsino) and Lady Liv (Olivia). Jester (Feste), who, along with comic counterparts Sweets (Sir Toby Belch) and Miss Mary (Maria), tricks club manager Rev (Malvolio) into thinking Lady Liv has a crush on him. Cameron Bernard Jones is aptly funny as Rev – his yellow ensemble in the second act being so much more than just yellow stockings.

Directed by Michael Buffong, with choreography by Kenrick Sandy and music supervision by Liam Godwin, this jazz-infused musical includes 24 songs.

The band play tightly, dancing is energetic, acting is slick and singing voices really are stunning. Die-hard Shakespeare fans may be critical but, as a fan of music and dance (and a little jazz), I absolutely loved it! 

Play On! is toe-tappingly entertaining and funny, while touching on serious themes of racism and sexism.

Talawa Theatre Company has been championing and nurturing emerging and established artists of African or Caribbean heritage for 37 years. Their touring production Play On! continues at Salisbury Playhouse until November 2. For tickets go to wiltshirecreative.co.uk or call the box office on 01722 320333.