British theater critics have given generally favorable reviews to the new West End jukebox bio-musical Get Up, Stand Up!, recounting the life of reggae star Bob Marley. The musical, originally set to open February 6 at the Lyric Theatre, was postponed due to the pandemic and opened October 20. The creative team includes Bob Marley (score), Lee Hall (book), Clint Dyer (direction), Shelley Maxwell (choreography), Sean Green (music direction), Simon Hale (orchestrations), Phil Bateman (arrangements), Chloe Lamford (sets), Lisa Duncan (costumes), Charles Balfour (lights), Tony Gayle (sound), Ben Grant (sound effects), Tal Yarden (video), and Campbell Young (hair and makeup).
The cast features Arinzé Kene (Bob Marley), Gabrielle Brooks (Rita Marley), Shanay Holmes (Cindy Breakspeare), Sophia Mackay (Judy Mowatt), Melissa Brown-Taylor (Marcia Griffiths), Jacade Simpson (Bunny Wailer), and Natey Jones (Peter Tosh), with Daniel Bailey, Craig Blake, Charles Blyth, Maxwell Cole, Athena Collins, Michael Duke, Kimmy Edwards, Raphael Estavia, Henry Faber, Cannon Hay, Savanna Jeffrey, Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton, Cleopatra Rey, Julene Robinson, Nate Simpson, Archie Smith, Declan Spaine, Jaime Tait, and Teddy Wills.
The Guardian (Arifa Akbar): Dyer’s pulsating production has the spirit of a staged concert with spoken scenes tucked in between the songs, and with the emotional freight of the story carried in its celebrated music. Sometimes this means that character and dialogue are sacrificed but the music is infectious — and there is a central performance from Arinzé Kene that soars and tingles the spine. … It is a tribute so infectious that it defies an audience not to sing or sway along. 3 out of 5 stars.
London Theatre (Marianka Swain): How to demystify the icon that is Bob Marley? … It’s a struggle that this intermittently powerful new show both tackles head on and embodies in its own flawed form. Lee Hall’s book is at its weakest when it follows the jukebox bio-musical model, racing breathlessly through Marley’s life. … It works best when it stops trying and simply lets us — via a talented cast — find it for ourselves in Marley’s indelible music. 3 out of 5 stars.
London Unattached (Lucy Foxwell): This for the most part is a joyous musical. … But it’s the second half that really comes to life, bursting with energy and full of heart, with tremendous ensemble work and a sterling, physically expressive cast. … The overarching theme of unity in One Love permeates the whole show and leaves the entire audience feeling uplifted, by which time everyone is aching to let their hair down and get up and dance … and they do!
MSN (Louisa Saunders): With a thrillingly charismatic lead performance from Arinzé Kene, it’s an exhilarating tribute to the man, his message and his music. Don’t expect a simple jukebox show. … There’s a seriousness here, a real attempt to honor Marley’s legacy. … The passion and commitment of the cast, the elan of Dyer’s staging and the irresistible pulse of the songs sweep you along and hold you fast. … And Kene is mesmerizing … a tour de force that brings to life a legend.
Theatre Weekly (Greg Stewart): On the whole Get Up, Stand Up! can’t find a sweet spot between musical, concert, and political play. That said, it does serve as a timely reminder of the extraordinary life that Marley lived. … Kene leads the cast as the title character, and it’s a powerful performance that has been honed to perfection. … As ever, it will be the music of Marley that audiences latch on to, and for that reason Get Up, Stand Up! will undoubtedly be a hit. 3 out of 5 stars.
Time Out (Andrzej Lukowski): Blessed with a megastar turn from Arinzé Kene and what is surely the loudest bass ever heard in the West End, Get Up, Stand Up! is one heckuva Bob Marley tribute concert. … Despite his performance, and the unrelenting surge of energy that is Clint Dyer’s production, there’s ultimately something a bit lacking. … Get Up, Stand Up! has wonderful tunes, a phenomenal star turn, and a weak story. For now, the first two points largely cancel out the third. 3 out of 5 stars.