entertainment
Beetlejuice review
Prince Edward theatre, LondonThere are drop-dead gorgeous designs and the performances are full of life but this off-kilter escapade has scattershot gags and unmemorable songs
TL;DR
- The musical adaptation of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice features an art deco haunted house set with purple and green lights and a sandworm prop.
- The show incorporates a high level of random gags, topical references, and direct audience address, including jokes about vapes and jabs at Andrew Lloyd Webber and Paddington Bear.
- David Fynn stars as Beetlejuice, bringing an anarchic energy to the role, though his scattershot dialogue can become tiresome.
- The production boasts impressive visual elements, including lighting by Kenneth Posner, projections by Peter Nigrini, and set design by David Korins.
- Performances by Hannah Nordberg as Lydia Deetz, David Hunter and Chelsea Halfpenny as the Maitlands, and Aimie Atkinson as Delia are highlighted.
- Special effects, illusions, and puppets by Jeremy Chernick, Michael Weber, and Michael Curry are praised.
- While orchestrations have a Danny Elfman influence, the composer-lyricist Eddie Perfect's songs are described as entertaining but oddly unmemorable.
- The musical explores themes of the need to be seen and embracing life, but the emotional anchor provided by Nordberg's performance struggles against the frustrating aspects of the show.