Last night Marcus and I went to see Beetlejuice at Prince Edward Theatre in London’s glitzy Old Compton Street.
Fresh from Broadway and toying only slightly with Tim Burton’s film plot, our story starts with a funeral, giving green-haired David Fynn - playing the titular Beetlejuice (terrific) - the chance to make it fourth-wall-breakingly clear that Death is the butt of today’s tomfoolery.
Fynn simply tears through the lead role; singing, dancing, and making near-the-knuckle topical jokes. He lays into the audience as well as other West End productions, notably Paddington.
He has a touch of The Rocky Horror Show’s Frank-N-Furter about him; a glamorously made-up boundary-overstepping pervert who is polysexual, roguish, and slightly menacing.
Indeed, other performers channel Rocky Horror Show’s characterisations too as the action sees Brad and Janet clones Adam and Barbara Maitland (David Hunter and Chelsea Halfpenny, both excellent) discover they are newly deceased.
Beetlejuice to the rescue. Or is he? He has a devious plan of his own.
The Book of Mormon style humour is terrific and the show is a visual feast packed with glorious effects. The jokes come thick and fast, there’s on-stage magic, some giant hands, a giant worm, and a trip to Hell and back.
Sadly, the songs are rather forgettable though.
That said, excelling in her solos and giving the show its beating undead heart, Hannah Nordberg brings drop-dead energy to adolescent Lydia Deetz. There’s also lots of fun to be had with Aimie Atkinson’s lifestyle coach; wound tighter than her top knot.
Both Marcus and I had a fun night and were pleasantly surprised that we both enjoyed ourselves as much as we did. It easily passed the six laugh test. Which I guess officially makes it a comedy!
I’m not sure if I would spring for top price tickets, but as the show should be running until Spring 2027 I’m sure there will be ample opportunity to grab some cheap midweek ones.
And I think you’ll find it a fun night out.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@BeetlejuiceWE @DMTWestEnd
#Beetlejuice #PrinceEdwardTheatre
