The Mad Ones

Review by James

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Mad Ones musical has had a cult online following racking up hundreds of thousands of streams in recent years but never quite landed in theatreland. Its transfer from off-Broadway to London’s The Other Palace Studio - via Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock Theatre - offers the opportunity to build a much-deserved head of steam.

The heartfelt, relatable and often funny coming-of-age story follows best friends Samantha (Dora Gee) and Kelly (Courtney Stapleton) navigating their final year of high school. Overbearing parents, first loves, first losses, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead as life’s road opens up ahead. It’s a celebration of friendship and study of universal teenage angst.

The four-person cast are tight and all afforded opportunities to belt out big solo numbers and showcase their impressive vocal ranges. Harmonies are well matched, but there’s occasional moments of over-singing as they engage in vocal jousting.

Dora Gee (Samantha) is a standout with a phenomenal voice - her tone is goosebump worthy and if there’s any justice she will be gracing stages with much larger productions in the near future. Casting directors, do your thing!

The score - delivered to perfection by the smallest of bands - displays great variety, playfully driving the wealth of themes covered within the lyrics. Hilarious numbers about the stresses of learning to drive and the awkwardness of losing your virginity stand out.

The small space is utilised well courtesy of clever set design by Reuben Speed with the audience effortlessly transported onto open American roads and college campuses. The front portion of a car is cleverly utilised throughout and becomes a cast member in its own right, earning its own curtain call.

The narration and flashback sequences are on the confusing side at times but adds to the sense of uncertainty teenagers struggle with.

The Mad Ones is an archetypal new generation musical (think Dear Evan Hansen) and deserves the opportunity to enjoy the freedom of the open road after its uncertain teenage years.