Review: 13 GOING ON 30 THE MUSICAL, Manchester Opera House
Photo credit: Pamela Raith
Based on the movie starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, 13 Going On 30 is the latest cult classic to make the leap from screen to stage. It follows 13 year old Jenna Rink, an outcast at school, who wishes she could be 30 and in with the popular kids. She wishes she could be in fashion magazine, Poise. Thanks to some magic wishing stars out of hopeless romantic Matt Flamhaff’s magic set, she wakes up to find all of her wishes have come true – she is 30, flirty and thriving, or so she initially thinks. As the musical progresses, Jenna begins to learn that perhaps having everything you wished for isn’t quite all that it’s made out to be.
Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa’s book keeps the show moving at good pace, whilst giving space for characters and relationships to develop. The music by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner is good fun and, whilst there are a good number of earworms, on the whole, their lyrics are rather unimaginative and rely too heavily on repeating short phrases or refrains.
Director Andy Fickman brings his high energy to the production as we have come to expect from him – this show is colourful, loud and full of life-affirming joy. Jennifer Weber’s choreography is equally energetic, integrating the talented company of kids into the production seamlessly and never ‘dumbing down’ the choreography for them.
Colin Richmond’s set depicts the different locations just fine enough, but on the whole, feels quite limited and low budget. George Reeve’s video design works well within the set design, but perhaps it would have been better just to have a video backdrop rather than a series of interlocking picture frames that occasionally move. Gabriela Tylesova’s costumes, however, are fabulously vibrant, particularly the costumes for the kids and Jenna. In Jenna’s costumes, she perfectly captures how a 13 year old might want to dress if she suddenly woke up and found she was 30. Howard Hudson’s lighting design adds loads more colour to the stage, elevating the limited set piece, and Adam Fisher’s sound design ensures we hear almost every word and that the sound from the talented company and band, under the direction of Amy Shackcloth, fill the auditorium.
This production is very much led by Jenna and here, Jenna is played by Lucie Jones. Jones is utterly perfect in this role. The score suits her vocal quality beautifully and she brings to life the teenager trapped in an adult’s body excellently. She captures the comedic style of the piece to perfection. Playing Young Jenna was Amelia Minto at the performance we saw – she shares the role with Fearne Lily King I’Anson. Minto matched Jones’ performance competently, delivering some powerhouse vocals. She is incredibly likeable and captures Jenna’s quirkiness, which then means we’re on side when she transforms into Jones’ Jenna.
David Hunter, reuniting with Jones after they appeared in Waitress together, gives a solid performance as Matt Flamhaff. He blows the roof off with exceptional vocals. The chemistry between Hunter and Jones is believable and sweet, which the audience root for – this is also thanks to the chemistry between Minto and Max Bispham, who played Young Matt at this performance (he shares the role with George Hamblin). Bispham also impresses with his vocal talent, delightful charisma and stage presence.
The rest of the supporting cast feature some very strong performances, but unfortunately most of them feel very underused. Grace Mouat is deliciously villainous as Lucy, following on from Anna De Oliveira who plays her younger self in the earlier scenes. Caleb Roberts enjoys chewing the scenery as Richard, garnering plenty a laugh throughout the show. Andrew Berlin steals the show with his one musical number as Kyle Grandy. Cyrus Campbell is great fun as Young Kyle, bringing to life the slightly cocky ‘cool kid’ very well. Dominic Andersen is very funny as Jenna’s rich and famous boyfriend Alex, whilst Suzie McAdam is beautifully endearing in her few scenes as Bev, Jenna’s mother, even if she does seem a little young for the role. Emmeline D’Arcy Walsh is a delight as Becky, belting up a storm and portraying the underdog really well.
13 Going On 30 the Musical is a joyous, feel good musical. It’s not without its flaws lyrically and a larger physical wouldn’t have gone amiss, but this production boasts an outstanding cast (assembled by Will Burton for Grindrod Burton Casting and Keston & Keston) and you are guaranteed to leave tapping your feet with a smile on your feet, wanting to start “living in the here and now”.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush