Curve Theatre, Leicester – until 10 May 2025
Reviewed by Leanne W
4****
The launching of the UK stage production of the cult classic Muriel’s Wedding coincides with the 30th anniversary of the film’s release. The Musical has previously played in Sydney, Australia in 2017 with a tour of the country in 2018, but this production at Curve Theatre, Leicester is the UK premier.
The story follows Muriel (Megan Ellis, who has been perfectly cast as the lead), who dreams of getting married but lives a dead-end life in Porpoise Spit, with a dead-end family and a nasty group of so-called friends. She hooks up with old school pal Rhonda (Annabel Marlow) moves to Sydney and finds herself in an exciting new life; with club nights, a job and the affections of Brice (Ethan Pascal Peters). The performance is interspersed with some ABBA classics – and delightfully appearing in the roles as the afore mentioned group are Bronte Alice-Tadman as Frida (and Dierdre), Jasmine Hackett as Agnetha, Aaron Tsindos as Benny and Jamie Doncaster as Björn. There is a delightful amount of multi-rolling from the entire cast throughout the performance.
Taking an opportunity to get married, Muriel agrees to take payment to marry Olympic swimming hopeful and Russian national Alexander Schkuratov, played by Stephen Madsen reprising his role from the World Premier in Sydney, thus gaining him Australian citizenship. Their meeting at the swimming pool is great fun, with a full suite of highlights – set (Poolside), costume, musical number (Mr and Mrs Schkuratov) and comedic moments.
The music is fun, there are some fabulous comedic moments and some superb casting. Costumes are vibrant and fun. I enjoyed several aspects of the set, including the clever use of AV screens to create various scenes, phone screens, neon signs and the use of the revolving stage. I enjoyed seeing my fellow audience join the wedding, however from my seat I missed much of the wedding due to the backs of the pews being so tall. The wedding shop scenes, where Muriel indulges herself as would-be bride, were delightful with the mannequins beautifully choregraphed. There were some moments in this updated version, which struck me as a little odd, the large old 80’s style phone in the scene where Muriel eventually calls home and Rhonda’s mum in a shell suit (her previous outfits not suggesting a preference for the style of the era).
Several of the Production Team had been involved in the previous Australia production. Directed by Simon Phillip with choreography by Andrew Hallsworth. The remaining creative team is comprised of music supervisor, orchestrator and arranger Isaac Hayward, set designer Matthew Kinley, costume designs from Gabriela Tylesova, lighting designer Natasha Chivers, video designer Andrzej Goulding, and sound is crafted Adam Fisher.
The production itself is great, a feel-good show with some unique moments and catchy musical numbers. What is missing though, which would see the audience leave a desperate to return, would be a proper finale and encore. I was anticipating that I would be up on my feet having a dance to Dancing Queen and other ABBA classics heard in the show – ABBA were there after all! But no, the show ends, the cast bow and we all went home, left wanting that little bit more.
I really enjoyed the show, I hope it tours so more can enjoy a joyful evening out with highs, lows, joy laughter and some sad moments – and a reminder that life is for living. It’s not the most creative musical but it is good fun and sometimes that’s more important.