Back to the future the musical (Review)


Back to the future – The musical

(Critique en Français : Cliquez ici)

Co-creators and Producers: Bob GALE and Robert ZEMECKIS

Music and Lyrics: Glen BALLARD and Alan SILVESTRI

Book: Bob GALE

Lead Producer: Colin INGRAM

Director: John RANDO

Designer: Tim HATLEY

Choreography: Chris BALLEY

Musical supervisor, vocal and music arrangements: Nick FINLOW

Light Design: Tim LUTKIN

Light consultant: Hugh VANSTONE

Video design: Finn ROSS

Sound Design: Gareth OWEN

Illusion Design: Chris FISHER

Orchestrations: Ethan POPP and Bryan CROOK

Dance Arrangements: David CHASE

Fight Director: Maurice CHAN

Musical Director: Jim HENSON

Wigs, Hair and Make-up: Campbell Young Associates

Associate Director: Richard FITCH

Associate Choreographer: Darren CARNALL

Associate Set Designer: Ross EDWARDS

Casting  Director: David GRINDROD Associates CDG

Starring:

Kofi AIDOO-APPIAH, Ella BEAUMONT, C.J. BORGER, Billie BOWMAN, Gracie CAINE, Sia DAUDA, Alexander DAY, Vasco EMAUZ, Cory ENGLISH, Orlando GIBBS, Sarah GOGGIN, Helen GULSTON, Matthew IVES, Ellis KIRK, Connor LEWIS, Adam MARGILEWSKI, Liam McHUGH, Bryan MOTTRAM, Anna MURRAY, Samuel NICHOLAS, Lee ORMSBY, Talia PALAMATHANAN, Louis QUINN, Alex RUNICLES, Zachkiel SMITH, Grace SWABY-MOORE, Patricia WILKINS and Alexandra WRIGHT.

Until 21 july 2024

At Adelphi Theatre

We don’t know where to start. So don’t blink, it’s incredible! We’ll get a lot of eye and ear candy!

Of course, there is the scenography completely out of the ordinary! Video, set, FX make this production a success at least equivalent to the blockbuster in theaters… The first appearance of the DeLorean is a total success. It is acclaimed by the public at its arrival! This « wow! » effect is going to increase in power at each entry of this mythical car. We understand besides before the beginning of the show by seeing the two subwoofers embedded on both sides of the stage that we are going to be blown! And moreover, she speaks (as KITT in Knight Rider, still of the retro pop culture! Give us a TARDIS while we’re at it!) She speaks without us immediately realizing this novelty as it seems normal. There are also other adaptations that have been made and each seems to have always been present. Bye bye Pierre Cardin, Hello Calvin Klein!

The staging uses cinematographic effects to not deny the origins of the work. So, whether you are a fan of the feature film or a fan of musicals, you are never disappointed!

The video is so perfect that sometimes you have to look carefully at what is real and what is an illusion. The mapping is a great art! The FX, we do not even speak about it! And the light: incredible! The scenery changes at a speed of 88 miles per hour!

While the first act already immerses us in the film. The second act is even more breathtaking. And if you thought you’d seen everything, the finale blows your mind… We can’t say more so as not to spoil the surprise!

For the musical titles, we will find with pleasure the classics of the original film: The power of love, Earth angel (will you be mine), Back in time or Johnny be Goode. But that’s not all, imagine the musical theme of the film played by a live band. It’s a blast!!! And when this last one is reorchestrated for a ballad between Marty and Jennifer, it is disconcerting but interesting! We will note a magnificent For the dreamers. Concerning the musical coherence, it is not simply music, it is the thunder which rumbles and awakes you the senses! On the other hand, we would have liked, to accompany these partitions, choreographies more pushed.

The references to other famous musicals are not lacking: we will find a bit of Grease in Lorraine’s room. A bit of Cabaret spirit in It works or even a bit of Sister Act with the song Gotta Start Somewhere.

What to say also about the casting, all respect the look, not only clothing, of the original actors. Special mention to George McFly directly from the screen who would have come from 1985 to our future! We find the cult lines. « Hello ! Hello ! Anybody home ? »

The public is carried away, booing Biff or applauding when George answers finally… As if they were all discovering the story for the first time.

 

Transcribing a pop culture classic into a musical was ambitious. They succeeded!!!

Synopsis

Welcome to Hill Valley! Take an electrifying ride back in time as the 1985 blockbuster film and pop culture phenomenon arrives in London’s West End as a groundbreaking new musical adventure!

When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past and send himself… back to the future.

Adapting this iconic story for the stage are the movie’s creators Bob Gale (Back to the Future trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump). The production features original music by multi-Grammy winners Alan Silvestri (Avengers: Endgame) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror), alongside hit songs from the movie including The Power of Love, Johnny B. GoodeEarth Angel and Back in Time.

Tony Award-winning director John Rando leads the Tony and Olivier Award-winning creative team, with Tim Hatley designing set and costumes.

Strap yourself in for a thrilling theatrical experience this August!

When BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL hits 88mph, you’re gonna see some serious… entertainment.

Book your tickets yesterday!

 

 

 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

BOOK TICKETS

 

 

Aurélien.

Comments

Reply

Leave a comment.