Archive review: This post preserves my 2017 review of Son of a Preacher Man. The cast and tour information below relates to that original production and is kept as part of the Clarissa’s Corner theatre archive rather than as current booking information.
Overview
Three broken hearts, one Soho hang-out and a connection to the man who once helped its customers with matters of the heart: Son of a Preacher Man brought together three strangers from different generations, each looking for love or trying to understand it.
The story took us back to the memory of The Preacher Man, a swinging 1960s Soho coffee and record shop where people danced, listened to music and turned to its legendary owner for advice. Years later, the original Preacher Man was gone, but his son Simon found himself facing three people drawn back to the place and its history.
Cast and Creative Team
The production starred Diana Vickers as Kat, Debra Stephenson as Alison, Michael Howe as Paul and Ian Reddington as Simon. It was written by Warner Brown and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood.
The music came from the songs associated with Dusty Springfield, including The Look of Love, I Only Want to Be with You, Spooky and, of course, Son of a Preacher Man.
Three Stories About Love
Isn’t it funny how our paths cross in one way or another? That was something that stood out to me in this story.
Kat, played by Diana Vickers, was a young woman who had lost her nan and was looking for love. Her connection to The Preacher Man came through her nan, who had visited the old coffee and vinyl shop.
Alison, played by Debra Stephenson, was a widow who had thrown herself into teaching and found herself falling for one of her students, Liam, who felt the same way.
Paul, played by Michael Howe, returned in search of a man he had loved when he was younger. He had visited The Preacher Man when he was 18 and was now trying to find his long-lost gay love.
All three stories brought them back to Simon, played by Ian Reddington, and to the legacy of his father — a man remembered for giving advice to people who needed it.
What I Thought of Son of a Preacher Man
The staging was really pleasing, and the lighting and effects during Dad Are You There? were incredible. I also loved the choreography and synchronised dancing and the way it was used to portray love.
Love does come in all forms.
There were amusing moments, I loved the interaction with the audience, and the vocals were amazing. The show managed to bring together nostalgia, laughter and sadder moments rather than staying in one emotional place.
Diana Vickers and Debra Stephenson
I remembered watching Diana Vickers on The X Factor in 2008 and willing her to win. Her husky voice was what made her stand out to me, so seeing her on stage years later was a big part of my interest in this production. She could still blow you away.
Debra Stephenson was one of my favourites in Bad Girls as Shell Dockley — the main bad bitch! Seeing her switch from the hard-faced character I remembered on television to someone much softer and more loving on stage was great, and her singing was fantastic too.
Clarissa’s Review
For me, Son of a Preacher Man was a nostalgic musical with some very funny moments, some sadness and a strong theme running through it about the different ways people experience love.
My original rating: 4/5 stars.
2017–18 Tour Archive
The dates below are preserved from my original post and are historical dates, not current performances:
- 9 September 2017 — Churchill Theatre, Bromley
- 12–16 September 2017 — New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
- 19–23 September 2017 — Empire Theatre, Sunderland
- 26–30 September 2017 — Palace Theatre, Manchester
- 3–7 October 2017 — Grand Opera House, York
- 10–14 October 2017 — Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
- 17–21 October 2017 — King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
- 24–28 October 2017 — New Theatre, Oxford
- 14–18 November 2017 — New Wimbledon Theatre, London
- 6–10 March 2018 — Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
- 10–14 April 2018 — Princess Theatre, Torquay
- 17–21 April 2018 — Theatre Royal, Brighton
- 24–28 April 2018 — New Victoria Theatre, Woking
- 8–12 May 2018 — King’s Theatre, Glasgow
- 3–7 July 2018 — Liverpool Empire Theatre
Accessibility
This is a historical review and I didn’t record detailed accessibility information during the original visit. Rather than guess or apply current venue information retrospectively, readers needing access information should check directly with the relevant venue for a current production.
More Theatre on Clarissa’s Corner
This review forms part of the Clarissa’s Corner theatre archive. Older reviews stay on the site as a record of the productions, performers and experiences I genuinely saw at the time, alongside our newer theatre guides and reviews.
This looks brilliant. I love a good musical and actually it’s the perfect time of year to spend a couple of hours in a warm theatre with great music. It’s coming close to me too so I may well check it out. Thank you.
This sounds really good – it’s a shame it’s not touring near me!
This sounds fantastic – I might need to look at tickets for when it’s in Wimbledon!
♥ Fran – frannymac.com xx
I’d not heard of this musical! Some fab songs mentioned also. I may have to volunteer some people to come and watch this with me! Thanks for the fab review!
I do love musicals. This sounds so good, what a shame it isn’t coming to Cardiff. Kaz
This sounds like a really interesting musical, I see it is coming nearby I may just have to try and go and see it 🙂
This sounds {and looks} like it will be a great musical theatre experience!
What a lovely musical, I have not been to the theatre for a long time, I will check this one out.
Sounds like an great musical I can see my sister in law loving it as its the kind of thing she likes.
Sounds like a very good musical, Im glad its in Glasgow! will have to see it
I love going to watch theatre shows and this sounds right up my street
I love musicals, but I haven’t heard of this one before. Something to add to my list.
Oh this sounds like a great show, I’ll definitely check out the London ones x
I love musicals! This looks like a great show – I’ve never heard of it before.
This looks like a brilliant musical to see I do like some of dusty springfields songs
Never heard of this before but that sounds like an awesome show! Maybe I could try getting tickets for me and my friends to watch when this goes to us.
This sounds like a fab show – I’d definitely be inclined to see it!
Oh this looks fab! I was always a big fan of Diana too!
ooo I do love Diana vickers. I’ve never heard of this but it does sound amazing. its a shame I can’t go and watch it 🙁
It sounds like a great show that I would love to see. Shame my town is not on their list in the tour.
This sounds an amazing show. I saw Diana in an interview about it recently and have been wanting to see it myself since. Hopefully they’ll add some more dates and come nearer to me so I can go.
Wow I’ve never heard of this one and I love a good musical! Thanks for sharing x
Man, I haven’t seen a musical in years… My OH doesn’t like them so I generally don’t get to go.
Go on your own then 🙂 I do
I love this song!
I love the theatre when I get the opportunity and love a good musical!
Thanks for sharing
Ooh this sounds right up my street! Can’t believe Diana Vickers is still around and singing, good to see that she’s still successful 🙂
Sounds like my sort of thing, will try get to go see it either in York or in Manchester when I’m back home from uni 😀