Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Prince Edward Theatre, London
Have the time of your afterlife with the ‘supernaturally fun, fun, fun’ (Radio Times) musical sensation BEETLEJUICE. Hailed as ‘hilarious’ (Independent) and an ‘absolute scream’ (The Standard), don’t miss the ‘drop-dead gorgeous’ (Guardian) Broadway spectacular at London’s Prince Edward Theatre – for a limited season only.
Meet Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager sharing her home with a pair of newly-deads and the demonic ghost with the most, Beetlejuice. He's dead trouble, but if you really want to feel alive, just say his name three times…
As a self-professed Tim Burton lover, the idea of one of my favourite films being turned into a musical was equally exciting and terrifying. So much so, that besides the odd soundbites I'd seen on social media, I went in completely blind to the soundtrack. So when SeatPlan approached me to review a show, there was no doubt what it would be. And before I knew it...it was showtime!
I've been using SeatPlan to help me book tickets in the West End for years, so working in collaboration with them on this post was a no-brainer for me. Seatplan offer interactive seating plans, as well as photos from legitimate audience members to help you find the best seats in the house for the best value for money. It's incredibly easy to use and it goes without saying that I checked the view from my seats on there the second I received my tickets for Beetlejuice!
There is no doubt about it, without David Fynn, Beetlejuice wouldn't be half the show it is. If chaos had a name beside it in the dictionary, I'm almost sure it would be his. From the second he appears on stage near the beginning of the show, he has the audience eating from his hands and hanging on to his every word. His comedic timing is absolutely exceptional and he manages to deliver what can only be described as an award-winning performance as Beetlejuice. You're never quite sure what he's going to do or say next, and at times...it almost feels as though he doesn't either!
The entirety of the cast are oozing with talent. Hannah Nordberg makes her West End debut as Lydia Deetz, and what a debut it is! She's sarcastic, full of teen angst and brimming with her iconic dark humour. Her powerhouse vocals fill the Prince Edward Theatre with ease and she commandeers the stage with Lydia's misery.
Mentions must also go to Aimie Atkinson (Delia Deetz), David Hunter (Adam Maitland) and Chelsea Halfpenny (Barbara Maitland). This is a production that could very easily have multiple award nominations for Best Supporting Actor because the talent on the stage is simply overwhelming in every way. The cast all seem to have such genuine chemistry with one another which only heightens each of their performances.
The music and lyrics from Eddie Perfect are sensational, with particular standouts being "No Reason", sung by Aimie Atkinson, "Dead Mom", sung by Hannah Nordberg and of course, "Say My Name", performed by David Fynn. However, the scene stealers were undoubtedly the chaotic largescale iconic numbers of "Day-O" and "Jump in the Line".
The set from David Korins is one of the most visually pleasing and effective set designs I've ever seen. It's incredibly immersive and even as sets transition smoothly between locations, you barely notice as there's always something happening onstage to keep you entertained. The sets are big, bold and instantly recognisable as Beetlejuice-coded.
The choreography from Connor Gallagher is jaw-dropping. It's completely non-stop, but never manages to feel as though it's anything other than organised chaos, which is an incredibly impressive feat during some of the larger ensemble numbers.
Beetlejuice is a whirlwind of emotions (it even moved me to tears at one particularly sentimental part), but at its heart, dark humour is at its core, which was always the most important aspect for me. The film has always been one for the weirdos and misfits like myself, and the musical reiterated that perfectly with a new take on the original material, giving a new lease of life to a much-loved classic. Whether you're a long term fan of myself, or going into the production blind, it's difficult not to be awed by the visuals, the performances and the wickedly funny book.
To book tickets to see Beetlejuice and find the very best seats on SeatPlan, you can do so here.
**photo credit: Johan Persson**
THIS POST IS IN COLLABORATION WITH SEATPLAN, AND THE TICKETS TO BEETLEJUICE WERE GIFTED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
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