We round up the reviews for the London production of the underground musical.
WhatsOnStage: *** “Having originated in New York, the soundtrack’s fanbase has clearly taken root across the pond, multiple audience members gleefully singing along with every word. And given the enthusiasm with which the cast themselves deliver this production, I feel like a bit of a party pooper. But as Wilde himself tells us, “Just because the ending’s a mess, doesn’t mean the first 40 minutes weren’t fun.” I might amend that to the first 20, or rather, nine minutes nestled somewhere near the beginning.”
The Independent: *** “This surreal, ‘dystopian dance party’ is a bit of a mess, but there’s no denying it’s a lot of fun.”
Musical Theatre Review: *** “Book writer Mark Mauriello clearly relishes his lead role as Wilde, a brash combination of The Joker, Cabaret’s Emcee and Frank ‘N’ Furter, albeit lacking in the veneer of charisma that makes those characters’ dark sides work. The bunker’s other residents have much less individual characters to contend with, save for Elizabeth Chalmers’ introducing resident, who Wilde casts in the role of Oscar’s wife, Constance, and who by the end is questioning just why her character has been airbrushed out of her husband’s story.”
Time Out: *** “Shira Milikowsky’s production wisely lives on adrenalin, powered by a cast of actors and dancers who don’t pause for a second as they fling themselves around the dancefloor and stage. Is this a great show? No. Does the plot make sense? Not really. Will it sweep you up in its brash spectacle and attitude, if you let it? Just maybe, yes.”
Theatre & Tonic: *** 1/2 “The world of Oscar at the Crown is brought to life by Andrew Barret Cox’s mesmerising costumes and impressive choreography. It is more than evident that this is a project of total passion and labour of love by both Barret Cox and Mauriello. Not a single detail is spared, and from start to end, the finish of everything is flawless.”
Theatre Weekly: **** “The strength of Oscar at the Crown, though, is the music: high-energy dance tracks that sound like they could be played in any club in the country this weekend, and no one would notice they had come from a musical. The songs (a sort of synth-pop/Broadway hybrid) are all utterly brilliant and make for an enjoyable and euphoric listen.”
To book tickets visit: https://oscaratthecrown.com/