All Or Nothing: It’s the title of one of the biggest ever hits for the legendary Small Faces and a defining anthem for the Mod era, as well as the name of an exciting new musical that charts the band’s rise to prominence. But for writer, actor and producer Carol Harrison, it also aptly describes the battle to bring her show to the stage. Ahead of its run at the Belgrade Theatre in May, she tells us more about the production and how it came to be.
“I have never written a musical before. I like musicals but I didn’t want to write something that was just an excuse to play a song. I had to break down a lot of theatrical conventions with a show but I have always broken rules,” she says. “People said it should be fluffier or have someone from The X Factor playing Steve but my response was ‘over my dead body’.”
Harrison’s connection to the Mod movement is long-standing, dating back to the days when she grew up near the home of Small Faces’ lead singer, the late Steve Marriott.
“My aunt lived two streets away from his mum, my cousin knew him, and another cousin was in a band with him,” she recalls. “He came round to our house when I was eight years old and he was just this amazing bundle of effervescence and talent. I had a bit of a crush on him.”
Before long, she found herself hooked on the music, fashion and attitude that marked out the band and others springing up around the same time.
“I loved the music, I loved their humour, and they were just Mod like me. You know what they say. Once a Mod, always a Mod. I grew up in the Sixties and I loved their music. I became friends with Kenny Jones from the band and I am very close to Molly, Steve’s daughter.”
It was largely due to this that authenticity was paramount to her portrayal: as well as creating a compelling show, she was determined that her work remain true to the spirit and real-life story of the band.
“I wanted to tell their story and explore how they were so ripped off. Also because it is East End, I wanted to be in my language, be authentic and the way we speak. I wanted to use my Cockney language and convey the excitement and that whole sub-culture that exists.”
“My writing comes from the heart,” she added. “I wanted to tell the truth really and be authentic to them. Mollie is very happy with the way I portray him. He is a very complex character their dad. It is warts-and-all but it is also a celebration of them. It was tragic how he died.”
The show received its premiere in the Mod pilgrimage spot of Brighton Beach, followed by a charity performance in Worthing, and then its first long run in the intimate setting of The Vaults beneath London’s Waterloo Station. Demand for tickets was so high in London, that the already substantial run was extended.
“The show has such a following and there are such lovely people out there. People have come to see the show from Finland, Holland, Vancouver, Manhattan, and on the first night a guy flew down on his own from Edinburgh with nowhere to stay just to be here.”
First and foremost an actor, Harrison has enjoyed an illustrious stage and screen career. As well as co-founding the renowned Half Moon Theatre and working with Arthur Miller on Michael Redman’s acclaimed production of Death of a Salesman for the National Theatre, over the years, she has appeared in a wide range of TV series, including Kavanagh QC, Perfect Scoundrels and London’s Burning. Today, she’s perhaps best known as EastEnders’ Louise Raymond and Brushstrokes’ incorrigible Gloria. Although producing is new territory for her, so far, she has been rising to the challenges it has thrown her way.
“For me, producing is very new. There are so many things I have to do in the day. I have to bring in people, plan the tour, do re-writes of the script and marketing. People are just asking me questions all day. There is then a moment where I have to say I am now an actor and it is quite tough to get to a point in the dressing room where I have to think let’s get into character and play Steve Marriott’s mum.”
“Having said that, this is very special because All Or Nothing is my vision. It is live. It is great when people come up to you after and the show and just say thank you. It is wonderful and it makes me feel that I have really achieved something.”
For Harrison’s fellow Mods and original fans of the band’s work, All or Nothing will be a welcome trip down memory lane. But you needn’t be a lifelong Small Faces follower to enjoy the show. Whether you’re curious about the band and 60s culture or simply up for a great night out at the theatre, this is a show that offers something for just about anyone.
“I learned about their amazing rock ‘n’ roll story and I thought it was an amazing tale. I also think they are the most unsung, underrated band of the Sixties. An awful lot of musicians have been influenced by them and still cite them as their idols. Bands like Ocean Colour Scene and musicians like Paul Weller have been very influenced by them.
“I just want people to come and experience it, and be a part of the show. Everybody gets a great feeling. One night in London, we had a quarter of the audience getting up dancing. The over-40s get the chance to grow old disgracefully and the youngsters just love the music. You just can’t get tired of the music. We all sing it backstage.”
All Or Nothing: The Mod Musical runs at the Belgrade Theatre Thursday 4 - Saturday 6 May.
All Or Nothing: It’s the title of one of the biggest ever hits for the legendary Small Faces and a defining anthem for the Mod era, as well as the name of an exciting new musical that charts the band’s rise to prominence. But for writer, actor and producer Carol Harrison, it also aptly describes the battle to bring her show to the stage. Ahead of its run at the Belgrade Theatre in May, she tells us more about the production and how it came to be.
“I have never written a musical before. I like musicals but I didn’t want to write something that was just an excuse to play a song. I had to break down a lot of theatrical conventions with a show but I have always broken rules,” she says. “People said it should be fluffier or have someone from The X Factor playing Steve but my response was ‘over my dead body’.”
Harrison’s connection to the Mod movement is long-standing, dating back to the days when she grew up near the home of Small Faces’ lead singer, the late Steve Marriott.
“My aunt lived two streets away from his mum, my cousin knew him, and another cousin was in a band with him,” she recalls. “He came round to our house when I was eight years old and he was just this amazing bundle of effervescence and talent. I had a bit of a crush on him.”
Before long, she found herself hooked on the music, fashion and attitude that marked out the band and others springing up around the same time.
“I loved the music, I loved their humour, and they were just Mod like me. You know what they say. Once a Mod, always a Mod. I grew up in the Sixties and I loved their music. I became friends with Kenny Jones from the band and I am very close to Molly, Steve’s daughter.”
It was largely due to this that authenticity was paramount to her portrayal: as well as creating a compelling show, she was determined that her work remain true to the spirit and real-life story of the band.
“I wanted to tell their story and explore how they were so ripped off. Also because it is East End, I wanted to be in my language, be authentic and the way we speak. I wanted to use my Cockney language and convey the excitement and that whole sub-culture that exists.”
“My writing comes from the heart,” she added. “I wanted to tell the truth really and be authentic to them. Mollie is very happy with the way I portray him. He is a very complex character their dad. It is warts-and-all but it is also a celebration of them. It was tragic how he died.”
The show received its premiere in the Mod pilgrimage spot of Brighton Beach, followed by a charity performance in Worthing, and then its first long run in the intimate setting of The Vaults beneath London’s Waterloo Station. Demand for tickets was so high in London, that the already substantial run was extended.
“The show has such a following and there are such lovely people out there. People have come to see the show from Finland, Holland, Vancouver, Manhattan, and on the first night a guy flew down on his own from Edinburgh with nowhere to stay just to be here.”
First and foremost an actor, Harrison has enjoyed an illustrious stage and screen career. As well as co-founding the renowned Half Moon Theatre and working with Arthur Miller on Michael Redman’s acclaimed production of Death of a Salesman for the National Theatre, over the years, she has appeared in a wide range of TV series, including Kavanagh QC, Perfect Scoundrels and London’s Burning. Today, she’s perhaps best known as EastEnders’ Louise Raymond and Brushstrokes’ incorrigible Gloria. Although producing is new territory for her, so far, she has been rising to the challenges it has thrown her way.
“For me, producing is very new. There are so many things I have to do in the day. I have to bring in people, plan the tour, do re-writes of the script and marketing. People are just asking me questions all day. There is then a moment where I have to say I am now an actor and it is quite tough to get to a point in the dressing room where I have to think let’s get into character and play Steve Marriott’s mum.”
“Having said that, this is very special because All Or Nothing is my vision. It is live. It is great when people come up to you after and the show and just say thank you. It is wonderful and it makes me feel that I have really achieved something.”
For Harrison’s fellow Mods and original fans of the band’s work, All or Nothing will be a welcome trip down memory lane. But you needn’t be a lifelong Small Faces follower to enjoy the show. Whether you’re curious about the band and 60s culture or simply up for a great night out at the theatre, this is a show that offers something for just about anyone.
“I learned about their amazing rock ‘n’ roll story and I thought it was an amazing tale. I also think they are the most unsung, underrated band of the Sixties. An awful lot of musicians have been influenced by them and still cite them as their idols. Bands like Ocean Colour Scene and musicians like Paul Weller have been very influenced by them.
“I just want people to come and experience it, and be a part of the show. Everybody gets a great feeling. One night in London, we had a quarter of the audience getting up dancing. The over-40s get the chance to grow old disgracefully and the youngsters just love the music. You just can’t get tired of the music. We all sing it backstage.”
All Or Nothing: The Mod Musical runs at the Belgrade Theatre Thursday 4 - Saturday 6 May.