We round up the reviews for the world premiere of the musical, which continues to play until the 6th July.
Broadway World: *** “The musical numbers are strong and catchy, standout songs were “Stick to the Curriculum” and “Everyone I Love Is Dead” encouraging much needed dark humour in the sorrow. The writing is poetic, but herein lies the issue, the script goes overboard by spelling out every intention, leaving little room for the audience to interpret the message for themselves, or fully identify with Sam’s journey via his specific personal experience.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “The whimsy won’t be for everyone and the abundance of poetic platitudes can be a little hard to swallow. However, there are worse things than an excess of sentimentality when it clearly comes from the heart rather than an attempt to manipulate.”
All That Dazzles: **** “Though King Of Pangea is not perfect by a long shot and would definitely need some refining for its future life, I couldn’t help but be impressed at the scale of what had been achieved and how successful it was for the most part. It’s far from finished, but it’s in pretty good shape, especially for a musical that has premiered at King’s Head Theatre.”
The Upcoming: **** “King of Pangea is a thoughtful, musically rich exploration of grief and the redemptive power of memory and imagination. It is especially resonant for those who have lost someone, but its themes of connection, childhood wonder, and resilience are universally felt.”
West End Best Friend: **** “Enchantingly designed. A musical with memorable and captivating orchestrations. A meaningful story with a unique take on the subject matter that is engaging to watch.”
Everything Theatre: *** “Much like the journey Sam undergoes, there is a full range of experiences for audiences to discover in Pangea, thoughtful reflections on managing grief and the joyful excitement of remembering childhood adventures.”
Theatre & Tonic: *** “The cast were all exceptional. As a professional debut, Alfie Blackwell smashed it out of the park as Sam. He was raw and captivating. Sophia Ragavelas and Dan Burton were brilliant as doting parents Celia and Arthur. Full of so much heart and warmth. Mark Curry was hilarious as Elijah. A real spirit guide. He exudes kindness and wisdom. Not to mention just how standout his numbers were. Emily Tang gave a lovely performance, especially as Maya. Bright and full of wonder. “
Curtain Call Reviews: “From the bare details I’ve given you, and given the short run-time there is a risk that the difficult topics dealt with in King of Pangea are rushed or over sweetened for theatrical completeness. Far from it – this work comes with truth, hope and love, all wrapped in a beautiful musical, whilst never pretending that the journey is easy.”
The Arts Desk: ** “Heart and soul proves insufficient in world premiere of therapeutic show.”
Theatre Weekly: *** “At 90 minutes straight through with no intermission, King of Pangea is a mixed bag of hits and misses, and still has quite a way to go on its creative journey before it hits its mark.”
The Stage: *** “Charismatic musical fantasy explores facets of loss and hope.”
North West End Uk: **** “Overall, King of Pangea is a beautifully crafted production filled with heart, emotion, and originality. With its strong performances, thoughtful staging, and seamless music, it’s a show that resonates deeply. I can easily envision this production evolving to a larger stage with an expanded set. The characters are engaging, the storytelling is poignant, and the music ties it all together. It’s a musical well worth seeing!”
To book tickets visit: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/53/by-martin-storrow-directed-by-richard-israel/king-of-pangea