Find out what is being said about the West End transfer of the musical, playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre until the 21st September.
WhatsOnStage: **** “On the larger canvas, director Michael Longhurst allows the weight of betrayal, the exultation of connection and the soaring jubilation of familial happiness to bump into the top of the rafters. The material itself still has shortcomings – its treatment of mental illness feels more slapdash and non-specific than it needs to be (highlighting the musical is already showing its age against the backdrop of a fast-paced subject matter). Even so, it may have been marvellous at the Donmar, but it’s a must-see now.”
Lost in Theatreland: **** “The cast is faultless throughout, Levy is sensational and gives one of the best performances of someone with a complex mental illness I have ever witnessed. She ensures Diana is layered and brings nuances to the character. Her vocals are powerful, and her chemistry with the other characters makes the family unit intensely believable.”
Time Out: **** “As Diana, Levy captures the palpable fear and frustration of someone who no longer feels in control of their life. Parker walks a line of self-serving stoicism and panic as Dan. Memories and identity are toxically intertwined in their foundering marriage. Worthington-Cox is an every-nerve-exposed ball of anger and jagged vulnerability as ‘invisible girl’ Natalie. Jack Wolfe, meanwhile, demonstrates why he was Olivier nominated and won a bunch of awards as Gabe. He’s a magnetically Puckish presence, an elastic figure of innocence and danger. There’s also good support from Jack Ofrecio as stoner Henry and Trevor Dion Nicholas as Diana’s (in one funny scene, suddenly rockstar) psychotherapist, Dr Fine.”
Theatre & Tonic: ***** “I’ll close this off by just reiterating that this show is incredibly impactful and thought provoking, and is such an important show for the West End to receive. I don’t think I can say much more than that. I simply adored every second of it, and felt so much in such a short amount of time. How lucky are we to experience these shows, and I can’t wait for many more theatre goers to experience this show’s impact.”
London Theatre.co.uk **** “What really makes this show sing, however, is its score. The musical is largely sung-through, which means there are countless opportunities for the cast to show off their vocals. Broadway star Levy (whose credits include Elphaba in Wicked, Fantine in Les Misérables, and Elsa in Frozen) impresses in “I Miss the Mountains,” as she describes her desire to feel something, instead of being numbed by medicine, while Wolfe is hypnotic in rock ballad “I’m Alive.””
All That Dazzles: ***** “Not the easiest of watches but a crucial one and the perfect example of how theatre can tell important stories that resonate with you. I always say theatre at its best can make you feel and that is never truer than it is for Next To Normal. The kind of show of which you have not seen anything like before, you may need to bring a pack of tissues with you but this is musical theatre at its very best.”
The Spy in the Stalls: ***** “Nobody has to think hard at all to realise that “Next to Normal” is as close to extraordinary as is physically possible. ‘There will be light’, we are told in the uplifting closing number. But it is far from a cloying sentiment, as a tangible question mark still hangs in the air. And for the moment, the light is refracted through tears – of sadness and of joy. Heart-breaking, heart-warming and life-affirming, this musical is more than a must see.”
The Stage: **** “Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s tough-minded musical transfers triumphantly to the West End, and features a jaw-dropping lead performance.”
Broadway World: **** “While plenty of productions steer away from the idea that musicals are a predominantly happy genre, there’s something unique about the way sadness and loss are portrayed within Next to Normal. There’s little room for emotional reprieve within the two-hour and 25-minute run time, with each song tugging at a new emotion.”
The Reviews Hub: **** 1/2 “Next to Normal is not quite a perfect musical; its subplot with Natalie going off the rails lacks edge and the big conclusion is a little too neat, but there is power in moments and a greatness in its overall effect that still makes this 16-year-old musical a revelation.”
London Theatre Reviews: ***** “Next to Normal stayed with me long after its closing chords. It’s bold and packs quite a punch. It invites you to keep reaching for the light even and especially in the face of obstacles and tragedies. It’s healing. It’s cathartic.”
West End Best Friend: **** “What sets this production apart is its unflinching honesty. Next to Normal does not shy away from the harsh realities of mental illness and its impact on families. Instead, it presents these themes with empathy and a hopeful undertone, making it both a challenging and uplifting experience.”
Musical Theatre Review: ***** “Next to Normal was a triumph at the Donmar Warehouse and rightfully received critical acclaim, but it is somehow even more of a visceral experience in the West End. Anyone sensitive to issues of mental illness, grief, drugs, etc. should check trigger warnings first, but this is an astounding and empathetic achievement of writing, acting and musical theatre.”
Theatre Weekly: ***** “While the themes of Next to Normal remain challenging, the production’s sensitive handling of bipolar disorder and its effects on family dynamics continues to strike deeply with the audience. The musical’s exploration of how treatment can sometimes be as difficult as the illness itself is as thought-provoking as ever.”
Lou Reviews: ***** “In transferring from a small venue, it now has room to breathe but still connects with a rapt audience following every move. An absolute triumph, well-judged and delivered.”
The Upcoming: ***** “The subject matter is of course not for everyone, and some are sure to be triggered, but with one in four of us experiencing some form of mental health problem every year, it is only right that such a production is afforded a platform of this scale. Some might long for a little more subtext and others might suggest the musical is a tad too long. Act One feels tighter whereas Act Two at times lingers. The climax makes up for this with Light. The closing number is optimistic while refusing to shy away from the darkness; it encapsulates this timely and unique musical.”
Rewrite This Story: **** “All in all, just to say, Next to Normal isn’t like other shows in the West End. But it is a painful, beautiful, and impeccably performed show which many will love. So, if you’re ready for an emotional rollercoaster with stellar performances and thought-provoking themes, don’t miss Next to Normal at Wyndham’s Theatre. It’s a theatrical experience worth every moment of the 15-year wait.”
Theatre Vibe: “The is a powerful and important story that needs to be told and should be seen. The performances are mesmeric, but a cumbersome script and overblown musical performances leaves you feeling informed but, unfortunately, not engaged.”
Next to Normal continues to play at the Wyndham’s Theatre.