13 GOING ON 30

Manchester Opera House

★★★★★

“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.

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

AIN’T TOO PROUD at the Prince Edward Theatre

★★★

“great songs, sensational dance but lacks emotional content”

Ain’t Too Proud, described as The Life and Times of The Temptations, directed by Tony-award winner Des McAnuff, and based on founder band member Otis Williams’ own memoir, is a whistle-stop journey through the history of the band from Otis’s discovery of music as a way off the Detroit streets, to becoming part of one of the most successful R&B groups of all time.

Otis tells us of his ambitions from the outset, “Singing is going to be my salvation” and the ethos of his group is that of all band members are brothers, “We all men, we all equal”. As the demanding life on the road, and the usual reliance on drink and drugs, takes its toll on the group, this maxim is severely tested. But, in essence, there isn’t a lot of life depicted on the journey and only a cursory look at the times. What there is, is some sensational song and dance routines.

The tour de force of this show is the outstanding Sifiso Mazibuko as Otis Williams. Stepping in and out of the song and dance line to narrate the story without missing a beat, he is close to ever-present throughout and if he begins to show signs of flagging by the finish, we can put it down to the aging of his character.

The opening half of the show though lacks spark. The songs are excellently performed and look amazing, but they are presented in small snatches, an accompaniment to the narrated story, which in itself does not excite. This begins to change with the arrival of the unpredictable David Ruffin (Tosh Wanogho-Maud) into the band and The Temptations’ first number one hit, My Girl. Some extra colour is provided with the inclusion of a three-song medley from The Supremes, described by Otis as The Temptations’ main rivals, which is one of the first act highlights. And as an example of how the songs reflect the narration, the group sings If You Don’t Know Me By Now just as Otis and his wife Josephine (Naomi Katiyo) split up.

As the group becomes more successful and looks to cross-over into the mainstream, a question is raised as to whether they are doing enough for fighting racial inequality. A clause in the band’s performing contract means their audience must not be racially segregated but the vital question is left open as monochrome projections show images of Detroit and Memphis ablaze, followed by the assassination of Martin Luther King.

Extra poignancy is found in the second half with the suicide of singer Paul Williams (Carl Cox) and images of the Vietnam conflict accompanied by a snatch of War (What is it Good For). The musical performance gets a lift too with longer song numbers, and a light show, particularly with the Reunion Tour and seven singers on stage rather than the usual five. The over-extended story of recording Papa Is A Rolling Stone becomes connected with Otis’s own story of missing his son growing up but any empathy is quickly swallowed up into the outstanding final number.

Tag Archives: Kevin Yates

13 GOING ON 30

★★★★★

Manchester Opera House

13 GOING ON 30

Manchester Opera House

★★★★★

“heart warming, funny and endearing”