Review: Teeth ‘n’ Smiles (Duke of York’s Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s been 50 years since David Hare’s Teeth ‘n’ Smiles first rocked audiences, shocking them with its rebellious spirit, so it feels fitting that the occasion is being marked with a timely West End revival. The world has changed a lot in the five decades since this show first premiered, so the question is, would it still carry the same impact it did in 1975, or would it all feel a bit toothless?

Taking place over the course of one night in 1969, Teeth ‘n’ Smiles tells the story of a failing rock band as they prepare for three shows at the Jesus College, Cambridge May Ball. Fronted by lead singer Maggie Frisby, the band are broke, disillusioned and on the brink of collapse, finding solace wherever they can as tensions rise between them. 

While it is clear to see why Teeth ‘n’ Smiles was so shocking and rebellious 50 years ago, it doesn’t have quite the same impact now, almost feeling dated in certain elements. Attempts to contemporise several aspects while keeping the action firmly rooted in 1969 yield mixed results, leading to a slightly muddled production that gets some aspects right, while others fall short. I spent the evening longing to feel shocked, feel wowed, feel anything - instead, it felt oddly cold. That isn’t to say it wasn’t an enjoyable experience, just not one that particularly inspired me.

Playing at the Duke of York’s Theatre, there is an obvious comparison to be made between another show that recently played there - that show, of course, being Stereophonic. While Teeth ‘n’ Smiles takes a different approach, I couldn’t help but inevitably make these comparisons, and perhaps this show suffered somewhat from walking in its shadow. 

David Hare’s writing is still thrilling in itself, edgy and with a sense of danger. That rebellion that lies at the heart of Teeth ‘n’ Smiles is still at the forefront, though the weight of these themes fails to land with the same impact it would have done in the past. The question I found myself asking was whether that was due to time and the world moving on, or if it was down to the choices made for this production?

Certainly, director Daniel Raggett’s track record speaks for itself, and there are moments of brilliance to be found in Teeth ‘n’ Smiles, but there are also moments that don’t match the quality seen elsewhere, almost feeling gimmicky - a disservice to the writing and talents of all involved in this production. While the initial occurrence of cast members making their way on stage through the audience was a delight, it was seriously overused, becoming incredibly repetitive.  and even tedious by the end. This production also suffered from pacing issues, with Act One feeling a bit too long and unexciting, though the second Act proved to be much more compelling.

The strongest aspect in this production of Teeth ‘n’ Smiles is its cast, led by an impressive turn from Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem. There are obvious comparisons to be made with Taylor’s career and that of her character, Maggie Frisby. The programme speaks of Taylor’s former band never receiving the success or breakthrough she desired, which she has since found with her acclaimed solo career. Taylor clearly taps into this, and it very much works in her favour, leading to an authentic performance. Taylor is charismatic and enigmatic in the role, ensuring your eyes are never off of her. This does come with a downside, however - such is the nature of her impact when she is on stage; this means there is a noticeable hole in the large amount of time she is not on stage, with her presence being missed.

Though the marketing all centres around Taylor’s character, there is much more to Teeth ‘n’ Smiles than just one person. Michael Fox delivers an understated and emotive turn as Arthur, with Phil Daniels bringing his own distinct style and flair to Saraffian. Other highlights among the incredibly talented cast are Samuel Jordan as band member, Smegs, and a huge standout turn from Jojo Macari as Peyote, delivering a comic masterclass in a scene-stealing portrayal.

Teeth ‘n’ Smiles is at its best when music is at the heart of the story. With the cast all doubling as actor-musicians, the performance numbers from the fictional band are electric, demonstrating how exceptional this production can be at its best, though this amplifies the non-musical moments that prove less strong. These numbers are where Raggett’s direction comes into its own, with Nick Bicat & Tony Bicat’s songs a thing of beauty, particularly ‘Don’t Let The Bastards Come Near You’ and rousing closing number ‘Last Orders’. As well as demonstrating her remarkable vocals, Rebecca Lucy Taylor also pens ‘Maggie’s Song’ and elements of ‘My Sour Blood’, again adding to the authenticity of the piece and blurring the lines between Maggie and herself.

Chloe Lamford’s set design recreates the gig the band are performing, sparingly using props, so the focus becomes on the band and their instruments. This also allows for no distractions and is used to great effect. Matt Daw’s lighting design impresses throughout, particularly with a great effect on ‘Bastards’, and transforming the stage with haze in a pivotal moment. For a show with music at the heart of it, Ben & Max Ringham’s sound design ensures every note is heard as clearly as it should. Loud and brash, these elements transform us from the grand Duke of York’s Theatre to the more grotty places the band are more accustomed to playing.

The talents of all involved in this production of Teeth ‘n’ Smiles are clear to see, but there was still something that didn’t quite connect for me. Though I certainly didn’t dislike it, I think the issue is the high quality of other shows that have been around lately, meaning that this production fell slightly short of my own expectations. That said, there is plenty on offer here for all types of theatre lovers to enjoy - whether you want to relive the rebellion of the 1960s, immerse yourself in a dark and problematic world full of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll or just enjoy a nice bit of gig theatre. If there is one reason to see Teeth ‘n’ Smiles, however, it is to be blown away by the sheer magnificence of Rebecca Lucy Taylor and her equally talented castmates. Had all the elements proved as strong as that, I would have certainly left the theatre with a bigger smile on my face. Unfortunately, despite being in relatively solid shape, there are still one or two cavities left to fill.

Teeth ‘n’ Smiles plays at Duke of York’s Theatre until 6th June. Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/play/teeth-n-smiles-tickets

Photos by Helen Murray