EVERY so often a show comes around to rock the socks off the crowds, writes our Theatre critic Kerry Black.

This is exactly what Million Dollar Quartet did when it played at Edinburgh Playhouse.

The show is based on a true evening in December 1956, when four of Sam Phillips’ legendary rock and roll stars all ended up at Sun Studios in Memphis and spent the evening jamming along.

The stars in question were Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis! I saw this show last year in the Festival Theatre and was delighted to see that they retained most of the cast. This time Sam Phillips was played by 80s pop icon, Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet, who was utterly charming as the avuncular Phillips, with a great Southern accent.

Obviously putting him in the lead ensured that the audience included lots of his fans as well as the rock ’n’ rollers!

One of the best things about this show is the fact that all the performers play their own instruments bringing a real raw sound to the show – amazing! This time Elvis was played by the snake-hipped Rhys Whitfield, who brought a shy, awkwardness to the role as he has to justify his move to a bigger record label. Matthew Wycliffe returned to the great role of Carl Perkins, who feels pushed aside by Elvis, who had a huge hit with Perkins’ song “Blue Suede Shoes”, while Johnny Cash was once again played by the fabulous, gravelly voiced Robbie Durham who moved on from Sun Records to further his gospel career!

Finally, the principal cast was completed by the incredible Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis, who truly stole the show with his antics – he even plays the piano with his feet!

Kaye also played Jerry Lee in Vegas!

The lovely Katie Ray returned as Elvis’ girlfriend Dyanne, in her stiff petticoats, singing many of the harmonies with the boys. There was also a great support cast, including James Swinnerton as the bassist.

Everyone knows the music of this era and the show swirls through many of their greatest hits, but it also pays homage to their gospel roots with a some brilliant acapella songs including “Peace In The Valley”.

The audience was a people watcher’s paradise as fans of all ages got up to jive in the aisles, I wonder how many of today’s pop stars will still leaving folk “All Shook Up” sixty years from now?