Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - Freaky Friday is edgy, freaky fun that will knock your socks off!

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On Monday we went to Home, Manchester to see the premiere of Disney's Freaky Friday. See what our reviewer Erin had to say about this excellent show...

Freaky Friday is one of my personal favourite Disney movies because of its quirky humour and warmth, and it was no wonder why it has been a fan-favourite since it first came out in 2003. And now that Freaky Friday the musical is here, I have no doubt it will also become a fan-favourite. I was expecting edge and freaky fun, and this show certainly delivered.

We all know the classic story of Freaky Friday: a mother and daughter that constantly argue, believing that the other has no idea what the other is going through, until they magically swap bodies and learn to understand each other’s struggles. This musical takes the story we all know and love, and reimagines it with a new, contemporary score and stunning cast. The show focuses on family and redemption, inciting feelings of nostalgia and comfort, making it the perfect watch for the Christmas season.

From the moment I walked into the theatre, I knew I was in for a good time. The set was bright and fresh, and paid homage to the original movie. My eyes were immediately drawn upwards towards the proscenium arch, to the broken clocks and hourglass looming over the rest of the seemingly normal stage. We later learn that a magic hourglass is the reason for the whole show, because it causes the mum and daughter to swap bodies. I personally thought this was a good change from the fortune cookies in the movie, because it just felt more musical. It provided more opportunities to have fun with the storyline and made for some memorable moments.

I loved the fact that it wasn't just a copy/paste of the movie. The creatives took this show and made it something of their own: A crazed hunt, an impending wedding and a magical body swap really is the recipe for success. Not to mention the dazzling song list; Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, If/Then, Almost Famous) and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal, If/Then, 13 Reasons Why) could not have created a better track list. There were catchy, vibrant songs, but also meaningful and touching ballads, and this mix left me without words. I really enjoyed the music and must appreciate the skill that went into creating it. I also loved the outfits that were created for these characters. The slow deterioration of Katherine’s outfit whilst Ellie was in control, I thought was genius, and it’s little touches like that that made the show.

The atmosphere in the audience was electric, and everyone was ready for it when we were thrown into the story, with a hit opening that I thought was effective. It set the tone for the rest of the show. The performance was not short of talent, and everyone involved was incredible. Rebecca Lock (Here and Now: The Steps Musical, Elf the Musical, Heathers) never fails to stun me with her natural comedic timing. I was laughing out loud throughout the whole show thanks to Lock and her infectious confidence and wit. Lock and Jena Pandya (Come Fall In Love: The DDLJ Musical, Bhangra Nation, Mamma Mia) made the best mother-daughter duo, highlighting the underlying tension between them with ease, but also showing their character’s growth and love towards each other also. Pandya felt like a breath of fresh air on the stage and brought a lot of relatabilities to the role.

I specifically loved the way she interacted with Samantha Ho (Cabaret The Musical, Death Note Musical, Boomtown Festival) and Beth Savill (Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Hamlet), who play Gretchen and Hannah respectively. They played a trio of friends with bounds of charisma and spirit, and it was lovely to see such a connection represented on stage. The person I was most impressed by was Ghaith Saleh (Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Giant, To The Moon), who was utterly charming despite his age. It was lovely to watch such a young star have such a good time on stage.

Ian Virgo (Lady Be Good, Plastered, Jesus Christ Superstar) was also charming, and impressed me with a beautiful ballad that really touched the soul. Jessica Butterworth (Children of Eden, We Will Rock You) had just the right amount of Disney sass for the classic mean-girl performance, alongside Max Mirza (Clueless, Dick Whittington and His Cat, Roman Holiday) who played the classic high-school crush and captivated the audience. Tori Scott (Guys and Dolls, The Cher Show, Cotton Candy and Cocaine) gave a powerful and strong performance and did not fail to make me laugh. Ellie Gilbert-Grey (Carrie: The Musical, Sweeney Todd) and Morgan Gregory (Newsies, Elf: The Musical, 42 Balloons) were energetic and fun to watch, with James Stirling (Aladdin, Alice In Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet) and Catherine Millsom (Kinky Boots, Sister Act, Mamma Mia) playing the wholesome Grandpa Joe and Grandma Helene. Dylan Gordan-Jones (Clueless, Grease, The Wiz), Waylon Jacobs (Hamilton, Hadestown, The Lion King), and Katharine Pearson (Something Rotten Concert, Hairspray, Big: The Musical) sealed the show together, adapting to be multiple characters with ease and grace.

The whole cast were magnificent and brought their best. It’s very clear that a lot of love and effort has been poured into this show, and you would be sorely missing out if you don’t go! Tickets are on sale now, and Freaky Friday is running until 10th January, and I urge you to get tickets as soon as possible; don’t miss out! Freaky Friday will knock your socks off with its undeniable quirk, humour and true Disney feel.

WE SCORE DISNEY'S FREAKY FRIDAY...