What do you ask of a new musical? Attention-grabbing performances? Eye-catching set? Sharp choreography? A director who shows them off to best advantage? All are here. What’s that? You want more? A strong book, catchy lyrics and tunes to whistle afterwards? Next you’ll be wanting jam on your crumpet.
The eponymous protagonist of Sue Townsend’s ever-popular novels first whined his way to self-pitying life in a 1982 radio play. He has been portrayed in print, on TV and in computer games, but this is his first musical (provided Townsend’s 1984 play with songs doesn’t count). Joel Fossard-Jones (not quite as old as his stage character and one of four sharing the role of Mole) delivers a performance of extraordinary assurance, impeccable timing and touching warmth. His fellow teens are equally impressive: Samuel Small as punky best friend; Imogen Gurney as pony-loving, politically committed Pandora; Harrison Slater as a terrifying school bully (and canny manipulator of “the dog” puppet). Under Luke Sheppard’s direction, adult actors match the high standards set by their juniors.
But... Sue Townsend’s writing is sly, sideways and socially observant. The musical – Jake Brunger (book and lyrics) and Pippa Cleary (music and lyrics) – is hamfisted, pummelling the original to fit paradigm narrative arcs of love triumphant and ambition realised. Character decisions are bizarre: “dirty Doreen” is beefed up – admittedly, in a belter of a number wowingly delivered by Amy Booth-Steel – but the Singhs are absent. Would Adrian’s poem-rejecting “man from the BBC” have let this through? I doubt it.
