Going into Wilko: Love and Death and Rock ‘n’ Roll, I’ll admit I wasn’t a die-hard Dr. Feelgood fan, although many in the audience certainly seemed to be. I did, however, see them at The Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe in 2025 with Nine Below Zero and it was a great gig, so I was hoping to learn a bit more about them, Wilko and that era as it was very slightly before my time.
The format was great, it wasn’t a musical (I mean could you imagine the character Wilko bursting into song randomly?) and I wouldn’t call it a play with music, it was however a very well done musical biography with an incredible story and a mini gig at the end.
The story of Wilko Johnson, is quite remarkable. In 2012, Wilko was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer and given just a year to live. Instead of opting for treatment, he decided to spend his final months doing what he loved: making music, seeing the world, and accepting his fate. Then, as the title implies, a miraculous turn of events changes everything.
The first half takes us on a quick-fire journey through Wilko’s early life, his intense love story with his wife Irene, and the explosive rise of Dr. Feelgood. At times, the story moves fast, you can just about keep up, however as the story moves along you realise you don’t need all the details anyway, it’s what happens next which is important.
There are a few songs interspersed into the play, when appropriate to the story rather than squeezed in for musical effect, and when the cast picks up their instruments, the energy in the room shifts completely. They were incredible.
Where the show truly touched me, though, was in its second half. Watching Wilko navigate what he truly believed were his final days was surprisingly uplifting. There was no melodramatic wallowing; instead, it showed a man coming to terms with mortality with grit, humour, and a renewed sense of wonder for the world around him. It completely makes you reflect on how you might spend your own time if you knew the clock was ticking down. And what would you do if that changed…. I can’t give any spoilers if you don’t already know, but it’s mind-blowing to be in that situation.
The play was practically a monologue performance by Johnson Willis, with the rest of the cast re-creating sections of Wilko’s memories as he was narrating them to us – it was a format that worked so well for this story.
Johnson Willis gives a fantastic performance as Wilko. He captures the manic, wide-eyed gaze and that signature, restless pacing across the stage. Backed by an incredibly talented ensemble: Lara Lemon, Georgina Field, Jon House, and David John whom together created a wonderful evening of theatre with brilliant music and an amazing story.
The mini gig at the end made everyone very happy.
Wilko is running at the New Wolsey Theatre until 3rd October – go here for more details. It will also be at the Palace Theatre, Southend 12-17 October – go here for more info.
Photos (c) Nick Haeffner / Stuart Purfield