The UK premiere of this new musical is a tale of love, desire and murderous obsession starring Kerry Ellis. But what have critics been saying about it?
The Guardian: *** “Although the characters are not particularly interesting and the show is full of cliche, there is much to hold the attention, including Jordan’s often flinty lyrics”
Carn’s Theatre Passion: **** “Hats off to director Sam Yates for taking this original material and making it into such a polished and engaging show. This very cool show is sophisticated, sassy and brilliantly performed.”
The Stage: *** “Director Sam Yates and his designer Richard Kent give it an appropriately slick and edgy sheen.”
British Theatre.com: **** “the piece is tastefully and meaningfully directed by Sam Yates.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “A true murder ballad needs to be filled with bitter wickedness and sharply observed ironies. It needs to revel in the darkness of bloody murder. But this one is all bark and no bite.”
London Theatre.co.uk: *** “It’s not much of a plot, but Sam Yates’s visually arresting production keeps our attention.”
London Box Office: **** “With a feel of The Last Five Years meets Chicago, Murder Ballad had everything you could ask for from a new musical, and the fact that it has a cast of Musical Theatre royalty, there really is no reason not to go.”
Broadway World: **** “the best original rock musical London has seen in a long while.”
Jonathan Baz Reviews…: **** “Poignant, punchy and perfectly performed, Murder Ballad drips with desire.”
London Theatre 1: **** “it is difficult not to get caught up in the raw energy and fast-paced composition.”
Time Out: *** “a weak musical, even with its musical-meta mentions of famous plot clichés and a bizarre final song that was not the clever knowing wink it aimed to be, but you needn’t run scared of this production: as performances go, they killed it.”
West End Wilma: *** “Murder Ballad is a good new musical with a few great songs but not enough to warrant a show that is entirely sung through.”
Live Theatre UK: *** “In the end, the overwhelming feeling is that you have attended a rock concert rather than a fully staged musical. Perhaps that is all that can be expected when Murder Ballad is performed in a space like the Arts Theatre.”
Murder Ballad plays at the Arts Theatre until the 3rd December. To book tickets visit: Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Last Minute.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.