Five Guys Named Moe | Marble Arch Theatre, London, 2017–2018
Clarke Peters’ Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated musical returned to London in a brand new production that opened in September 2017 at the purpose-built Marble Arch Theatre. The show celebrates the irresistible hits of Louis Jordan, the “King of the Jukebox,” whose jump blues sound bridged jazz, blues, and early rhythm and blues in the 1940s. Set in 1940s New Orleans, the musical follows Nomax as he receives unexpected advice from five personifications of his psyche—all named Moe—who burst out of his jukebox to help him win back his girlfriend through music, dance, and self-discovery.
Directed by Clarke Peters himself, the production transformed Underbelly’s Spiegeltent into an immersive New Orleans jazz club, complete with art nouveau stylings and an authentic cocktail bar that transported audiences back to the enthralling atmosphere of 1940s Louisiana. The intimate venue environment allowed the show’s infectious energy and audience interaction to flourish, with performances extending from the original September 2017 opening through March 2018.
Set and Costume Design Vision
takis’ design creates an immersive 1940s jazz club environment that celebrates the period’s distinctive style while supporting the show’s high-energy musical numbers. The costumes capture the sharp sophistication of 1940s menswear: tailored suits with wide shoulders, high-waisted trousers, crisp white shirts, bow ties, and the kind of polished presentation that defined African American style during the swing era.
The five Moes—Big Moe, Four-Eyed Moe, Little Moe, Eat Moe, and Know Moe—each have distinct visual identities while maintaining a cohesive ensemble aesthetic. The designs balance period accuracy with theatrical exaggeration, creating larger-than-life characters that emerge from a magical jukebox. Rich fabrics, bold colors, and immaculate tailoring reflect the pride and elegance of 1940s jazz club culture, while allowing the athletic choreography and physical comedy that drives the show.
Nomax’s journey is tracked through his costume evolution, moving from disheveled disappointment to renewed confidence as the Moes guide him through the night. The overall design captures both the glamour of 1940s nightlife and the emotional journey at the show’s heart, creating a world where music becomes transformative magic.
Creative Team
- Director and Original Conceiver: Clarke Peters
- Set and Costume Designer: takis
- Music: Louis Jordan
- Cast: Edward Baruwa (Nomax), with the five Moes portrayed by Ian Carlyle (Four-Eyed Moe), Dex Lee (Know Moe), Idriss Kargbo (Little Moe), Timothy Martin (Big Moe), and Emile Ruddock (Eat Moe)
Production Context
Five Guys Named Moe originally premiered at Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1990 before transferring to the West End, where it ran for four years and won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment. The musical subsequently transferred to Broadway, earning five Tony Award nominations including Best Musical. The show has since been produced worldwide, introducing new generations to Louis Jordan’s pioneering jump blues sound.
This 2017 production at the Marble Arch Theatre represented a return to the show’s intimate roots, with the Spiegeltent venue creating the kind of close audience-performer relationship that allows the show’s infectious joy and direct address to flourish. The Marble Arch location brought the production to a new London neighborhood, while the immersive environment design—transforming the entire space into a 1940s jazz club—created an experience where audiences felt like participants in the story rather than distant observers.
The show demonstrates how musical theatre can celebrate specific musical legacies while creating universal stories about self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of music.