★★★★★

“heart warming, funny and endearing”

13 Going on 30 The Musical, based on the book and screenplay by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, and the 2004 film, is simply great fun. An uplifting coming of age story with a whole load of real, not fake, girl power, it takes us on a journey of discovery to realise that the things which matter most are those which ground us and make us better people. Never taking itself too seriously, flashy and sassy, this world premiere was fresh and vibrant, packed with humour and a host of memorable songs.

Jenna is turning 13 and her best friend, the rather shy and ‘uncool’ Matt, thinks she is the most beautiful girl in the world. They share their lives, dreams and fun together, which is then threatened by Jenna desperately seeking acceptance into the inner circle of ‘the popular kids’. At her 13th birthday party, she is transported into the body – and life – of herself aged 30, as a successful glossy magazine executive. Thrust into a seemingly perfect life, the parties, ‘beautiful people’ and faux friendships eventually turn sour and she realises that true friendship, love and valuing the simplest, truest things in life is the answer. The plot sounds sugary and a standard ‘rom com’, but the message is delivered with a real sense of truth. Time can slip away and the decisions we make along the way change the world for ourselves and others. It’s never too late to change!

This world premiere is directed superbly by Andy Fickman, ensuring the full humour and sentiment are apparent throughout the performance. Music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner provide a mixture of catchy, and emotional pieces, with some lovely duets, under the expert musical supervision of Alan Williams. The only non-original track, the “Thriller’ sequence, is a particular delight, even to those of us who did not know the 2004 film.

Lucie Jones gives a powerful and versatile performance as the lead, Jenna Rink, able to flit between the naivety of the pre-teen world and friendship and the excitement and frenzy of being ‘thirty, flirty and thriving’. Alongside David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff, their performance is extremely watchable, heartwarming and genuine. Grace Mouat as Lucy Wyman plays the perfect self-centred ambitious ‘bad girl’, originally the lead of the popular ‘six chicks’ at middle school and now in the gleeful position to offer perfectly delivered sarcastic witty retorts as she sweeps over her colleagues in seeking her own ends.

The whole cast are the best which the thriving musical theatre scene can give us. With spot on comedic timing, the cast give it everything: faultless and energetic dance routines, soaring voices and acting which was strong enough to genuinely convince us we too could still be that young person with dreams.

Special mention to the hilarious Caleb Roberts as Richard, the ‘boss’ at the magazine Poise, and the incredible stage presence and movement skills of Iván Fernández González as Darius Mark. It would be impossible to mention all the committed and talented cast, but it must be said that the young cast are every part as talented and versatile as their adult counterparts. Amelia Minto (young Jenna) and Max Bispham (young Matt) together with Emmeline D’Arcy Walsh (Becky) give shining performances and the comedic Cyrus Campbell (young Kyle) simply loves to entertain.

Colourful and captivating costumes (Gabriela Tylesova) add to the joyous and celebratory performance. The whole ensemble choreography (Jennifer Weber) is a particular joy to watch, with precision timing and movement. The set’s simplicity (Colin Richmond) makes for great efficiency in terms of transitions being seamless, and the dynamic lighting (Howard Hudson) facilitates the changing moods. The finale is visually spectacular and uplifting, featuring the perfect definition of a final number ‘Here and Now’.

A heart warming, funny and endearing show, it deserves to be counted as a strong new work in its own right, as well as a happy nostalgic throwback for those who loved the film.

GREASE: THE IMMERSIVE MOVIE MUSICAL

Evolution London

★★★★

“Slick, is an understatement”

It was only a matter of time before the global production phenomenon that ‘Secret Cinema’ has become turned its hand to “Grease”. Nearly fifty years old, the musical romantic comedy has managed to avoid the criticisms of it not aging well, mainly due to the fact it was never meant to be taken seriously. Along with ‘The Rocky Horror Show’, it has probably been the subject of the most ‘sing-along’ outings in every town around the world – and the immersive extravaganza currently in Battersea Park is, essentially, a giant version of this joyous participatory experience. But so much bigger, better and more fun, with some mind-blowing technical wizardry going on. The backstage crew must be running a marathon each night to ensure every element falls into place. They are evidently working like greased lightning as the result is as slick and synchronised as the T-Birds’ Ford De Luxe convertible.

So, welcome to 1959. Welcome back to High School. More specifically, welcome to Rydell High. It’s the beginning of a new year. The holiday atmosphere follows us up to the school gates thanks to a fairground being right outside. Get there early as the queues for the rides and the hotdog stands, and the bars are authentically long. Otherwise just wallow in the gloriously innocent fifties feel-good atmosphere. On a giant screen the opening sequence from the movie heralds the start of the show. The school bell rings out and we are ushered into the school hall – i.e. the massive event venue that is Evolution London. We wander round like at a trade fair or a con event, sometimes a bit lost. Staff are on hand to tell us where we can and cannot go. Various stages depict the many locations – the school gym, the beauty school, the Autoshop, the National Bandstand, the Drive-In, the diners – while many screens project the original movie in real time.

All the musical numbers are performed live by the actors and the band as they follow the action with precision and gusto. The synching is spot on. At key moments the characters form the movie appear before us (or far away, depending on where you happen to be in the hall at that particular time). You can watch the movie screen while you listen, as the lip movements are uncannily in time with the actors. Although you are better off focusing on the live action. Liam Morris and Stephanie Costi are dead ringers for Travolta and O.N.J. as Danny and Sandy. Similarly, all the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies are often indistinguishable from their screen counterparts. The onstage band is exceptional, providing note perfect interpretations of the songs, and intermittently filling dips in the film’s narrative with star turn numbers from the ensemble. If you come away not knowing how to do the hand jive, you clearly haven’t been paying attention.

Almost as much fun can be had watching the audience as the show. If you are not a fan of immersive experiences, the infectious joy that ripples through the crowds will surely convert you. And proceedings are helped along by the many crowd pleasers this musical throws into the mix, from the opening ‘Summer Nights’ right through to the closing chang-chang, changity-chang-shoo-bops. Costi is forever watchable as Sandy, melting our hearts with her ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ moment. Lucy Penrose is another standout as Rizzo, belting out ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do’, even managing to rise above the audience’s ensemble singing. There are a few surprises along the way in the staging. Director Matt Costain has managed to turn what could be a nightmare of a job into a dream. Slick, is an understatement.

Throughout the show we are free to meander into and out of the action that surrounds us completely. It is always nice to pop back outside for a breather. Eventually we are all led back into the fairground for the famous final scene in which Sandy appears transformed, complete with spray-on black satin pants. The rousing ‘You’re the One that I Want’ is as ‘electrifying’ as Danny’s ‘multiplying chills’. Secret Cinema has woven its magic once again on the story it is telling (not that there is much of a story to tell in this case). But we feel part of it, and despite it having become such a brand now, it still feels intimate and personal. As we stroll away through the night air, with a ‘shoo-wop-sha-whada-whadda’ spring in our steps, we know we have witnessed something quite unforgettable, and have been reminded that, perhaps after all, ‘Grease is the word’.

Tag Archives: Jennifer Weber

13 GOING ON 30

★★★★★

Manchester Opera House

13 GOING ON 30

Manchester Opera House

★★★★★

“heart warming, funny and endearing”

13 GOING ON 30

Manchester Opera House

Reviewed on 30th September 2025

by Lucy Williams

Photography by Pamela Raith

Previously reviewed at this venue:

HERE AND NOW | ★★★★ | September 2025

13 GOING ON 30

13 GOING ON 30

13 GOING ON 30

GREASE: THE IMMERSIVE MOVIE MUSICAL

★★★★

Evolution London

GREASE: THE IMMERSIVE MOVIE MUSICAL

Evolution London

★★★★

“Slick, is an understatement”