Paul T Davies reviews The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 the musical now playing at the Ambassadors Theatre, London.
The cast of Adrian Mole the musical. Credit: Pamela Raith The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ The Musical Ambassadors Theatre, London.
3 July 2019
4 Stars
For those who were around when Sue Townsend’s classic character appeared in the book, and then TV, seeing Adrian Mole again is like catching up with an old friend. One that has barely changed or moved on, but the one that you realise you have a lot of affection for. Originally commissioned by Curve and Royal & Derngate, Northampton, the musical finally arrives on the West End, a little rough around the edges, (deliberately in some places), and full of affection and laughs.
Amy Ellen Richardson (Pauline) and Andrew Langtree (George). Photo: Pamela Raith
Whilst some of the 1980s cultural references are way beyond younger members of the audience, the embarrassment and complications of puberty and the gawkiness of first love still remain true. Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary’s music isn’t going to break any ground musical theatre wise, with some of the tunes sounding like a children’s TV show from the 80s, but the lyrics are laugh out loud funny, as is Brunger’s book. The energetic cast, under Luke Sheppard’s zippy direction, is a joy to watch.
Jeremiah Davan Waysome (Nigel) and the cast of Adrian Mole the musical. Photo: Pamela Raith
With the kid's centre stage, it’s important they work together well. On my night, Rufus Kampa was a glorious Adrian, capturing perfectly the intellectual snobbery and gawky love-struck lad, gaining total sympathy from the audience. Rebecca Nardin was perfect as his love interest, the feminist and independent Pandora, Jeremiah Waysone great as best friend and not quite streetwise Nigel, and Jack Gale great fun as Barry the bully. Of the adults, John Hopkins steals the show as sleazy next door neighbour Mr Lucas, strict headmaster Mr Scruton, and is worryingly alluring as a schoolgirl in one of his supporting roles! As Adrian watches his parent’s marriage fall apart, Amy Ellen Richardson as Pauline and Andrew Langtree as George are, in turns, funny and poignant, and Ian Talbot provides some highly politically 1980’s incorrectness as communist pensioner Bert, and Rosemary Ashe’s Grandma raises many a laugh, as does Lara Denning as teacher Miss Elf and then slutty neighbour Doreen.
Rosemary Ashe (Grandma) in Adrian Mole. Photo: Pamela Raith
It’s a show that’s a little patchy- there’s a dream sequence that borders on outstaying its welcome, and the characterisation is hugely broad, poignancy is not mined for effect. But Adrian’s alternative Nativity is a hoot and hilarious, and the show may be cheesy but its heart is in the right place, with bags of charm that had me laughing out loud throughout.
BOOK TICKETS TO THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13 3/4
Paul is a playwright, director, actor, academic, (he has a PhD from the University of East Anglia), teacher and theatre reviewer! His plays include Living with Luke, (UK tour 2016), Play Something, (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Drayton Arms Theatre, London 2018), , (2019), and now The Miner’s Crow, which won the inaugural Artist’s Pick of the Fringe Award at the first ever Colchester Fringe Festival 2021. In lockdown 2020 he created the audio series Isolation Alan, available on Youtube, and performed online in the Voice Box Festival. He is the founder member of Stage Write, a Colchester based theatre company, and his acting roles include Rupert in How We Love by Annette Brook, first performed at the Vaults Festival 2020 and revived at the Arcola and at Theatre Peckham in 2021. Follow: @stagewrite_
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