Ain’t Too Proud

Book Ain’t Too Proud musical tickets to enjoy the story of Motown legends The Temptations

The rhythms of “My Girl”, “Just My Imagination” and more of The Temptations’ greatest hits blast from the Prince Edward Theatre in the irresistible jukebox musical Ain’t Too Proud, which is dazzling West End audiences night after night. This smooth, soulful show invites you to take a peek behind the chart-topping songs and find out what really made the members of this group tick. Not only that, it is one of the most fun nights out for theatre fans… it’s “like sunshine on a cloudy day”!

Following the Motown legends from humble beginnings in Detroit all the way to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Ain’t Too Proud musical reveals the true story propping up the sharp dance moves and slick harmonies that earned The Temptations 14 Number Ones. Brotherhood, betrayals and perseverance to succeed all feature in this exhilarating musical, set to the sounds of just some of the group’s 42 Top Ten Hits. 

The Ain’t Too Proud musical features songs from The Temptations’ iconic Motown catalog, with a book by US playwright Dominique Morriseau and direction from Des McAnuff. It was a Broadway sensation between 2019 and 2022 and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, eventually winning for Best Choreography thanks to Sergio Trujillo’s impeccable, stylish work that had the whole company moving like the real thing. In London, it has been a similar sensation, with critics hailing it as the perfect jukebox show: “impeccably choreographed, beautifully staged and exquisitely sung” (The Telegraph). 

Morriseau is a Detroit-born playwright with nine plays under her belt including the Detroit Project (Detroit ’67, Paradise Blue, and Skeleton Crew). Hailing from the same city as The Temptations themselves, she is perfectly placed to bring their voices and experiences to the stage in effortless style and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical in 2019 for the Ain’t Too Proud musical.

Director McAnuff is the man to ask for if you want to see an irresistible jukebox musical that will get your toes tapping and your brain whirring with the revelations of behind-the-scenes drama and emotion. His previous shows include the internationally-acclaimed Jersey Boys (currently playing in the West End at Trafalgar Theatre) and the exhilarating rock opera The Who’s Tommy, for which he won the Best Director award at the Tonys and Oliviers. 

Scenic design by Robert Brill, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy, production design by Peter Nigrini, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, choreography by Sergio Trujillo, orchestration by Harold Wheeler and music supervision by Kenny Seymour all contribute to the feast for the sense you can enjoy at the Ain’t Too Proud musical, along with a standout cast.

Casting includes Cameron Bernard Jones (The Wiz) as Melvin Franklin, Kyle Cox (Elf) as Paul Williams, Sifiso Mazibuko (Hamilton) as Otis Williams, Tosh Wanogho-Maud (The Drifters Girl) as David Ruffin and Mitchell Zhangazha (Dear Evan Hansen) as Eddie Kendricks. 

If you’re a fan of soul music and Motown, seeing Ain’t Too Proud musical should be at the top of your wish list! This sizzling jukebox musical will sweep you off your feet and have you humming all the way home.

Child friendly?

The Ain’t Too Proud musical does not admit anyone under the age of 3. 

The show includes haze effects, a blackout in Act 1, two blackouts in Act 2, and the smoking of herbal cigarettes on stage. There is racially offensive language and some other derogatory language used, strong language, some scenes of violence and drug use.