Rating: 1.5/5
Venue: King's Head Theatre, London
Cast: Will Usherwood-Bliss, Matteo Giambiasi, Hayley Maybury and Justine Marie Mead
As emotions blur and secrets come into focus, SNAP: A New Musical takes audiences on a stylish, sharp-witted journey through love, betrayal, and the power of the perfect image. Featuring an electrifying original score and razor-sharp storytelling, this thrilling musical will have you questioning—are we ever really in control of our own narrative?
SNAP, the new musical currently being staged at the Kings Head, promises a poignant look at post-high school life and the decisions that define us—but unfortunately, it fails to deliver on nearly every front.
From the outset, the production is marred by technical issues: clunky transitions between scenes, which take place in a blackout much too regularly, giving a very amateur feel. The very basic set design consisted of just a chair, and a projector screen that was used so little it almost seemed unnecessary, and yet the show would’ve been incredibly empty without it. The storytelling is equally shaky, relying heavily on exposition and overly literal lyrics, when subtlety and nuance were sorely needed.
The central premise—two ex-high school lovers navigating adult life—holds promise, but the writing does little to flesh out the characters. The plot leans on clichés and awkward dialogue, with some scenes feeling entirely unstaged, as actors stood around delivering lines with little conviction. The entire story seems to hinge on a single typo to drive the entire plot forward, which feels contrived and unbelievable.
While the show has a few witty moments and a talented cast who did their best with the material they were given, these glimpses of creativity are overshadowed by a score that’s repetitive and lyrically uninspired. Songs like the title number “Snap!” come across as dreary, lacking the emotional weight or melodic complexity needed to carry a musical.
Perhaps the biggest missed opportunity is the underdeveloped emotional core. Characters like Sheila and Angela are set up for depth but never given the arcs they deserve. One bright spot is the performance of Justine Marie Mead playing Sheila, a fabulous comedic performer who manages to show some range despite the limiting material—moving from comedy to real emotion in the rare moments where the script allows it.
Ultimately, SNAP is a musical that feels unfinished. With very little character development, a forgettable score, and an ending that fails to resonate, it’s a show that, despite its intentions, simply doesn’t hit the mark.
You can book tickets to SNAP: A New Musical, here.
Review by Rachel
**photo credit: Stuart Yeatman**
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