Mounting a show with the words "Ray Charles" and "genius" in the title takes courage. It's one thing to construct theatrical workhorses out of minor talents such as Rod Stewart or Abba; recreating Charles's brand of soul jazz for the West End requires something else.
If Charles had a genius, as his publicity always claimed, it was for making all manner of songs his own. As a blind person in the postwar, pre-MTV period, his talent was revolutionary but resolutely non-visual. His concerts were simple and unshowy, with the great man hidden behind shades and a concert grand. An enduring image is of those boxy shoulders, rocking from side to side while he hollers and pounds the keyboard.
This show, brought to us by the producer behind Spirit of the Dance and The Twelve Irish Tenors, presents the Ray Charles repertoire with a set and costumes that seem to come from earlier eras. Three male singers - young, mature, in-between - take the lead vocals, but nobody attempts to copy Charles's style. A big band, led by pianist Barry Robinson, performs on stage while the singers and dancers strut their stuff.
The production numbers quickly shift off message: Busted, with its great Benny Carter arrangement, is acted out too literally, as is You Are My Sunshine; Fever becomes a Chicago-style dance routine; Imagine delivers Lennon's anti- religion lyrics in glorious gospel harmonies.
It is difficult for a repertory company to replicate Charles's alchemical way with unlikely material - the country ballads, standards and Beatles songs he transformed so radically revert all too easily to their original forms. We learn little about Ray Charles and his impact on music; there's no sense that the producers and directors have any point of view about the man and his music.
The second act wisely ends with the big hits but what the show lacks - if you'll forgive the metaphor - is vision.
· Until August 13. Box office: 0870 145 1163.
