It’s showtime!

Where to begin with this one? Let’s start with why on earth we’re here.

I have no love for jukebox musicals – those clunky shows that awkwardly attempt to ram someone’s back catalogue into a half-baked story that they can then sell to the fans. The biggest crime is probably the way Chiquitita is shoe-horned into Mamma Mia!.

But perhaps worse than that is the trend of taking cool cult movies from the ’80s and ’90s (that maybe have a couple of key songs on their soundtrack) and trying to turn them into musicals as an exploitative cash grab. Yes, Heathers, I’m looking at you.

So again, why on earth am I here?

Well, unlike those aforementioned shows, the world of Beetlejuice is already a straight pull from vaudeville, with a lead character who was seemingly born for the stage and the freedom and interaction that this medium provides. Basically, I was excited to see what they would do with a live production.

So we ascended the stairs to the Grand Circle Bar (this gig doesn’t pay well, okay!), grabbed our excellent Isle of Harris gins, a ready-made tub of pick ’n’ mix (surely an oxymoron?) and headed to our seats.

I hadn’t really researched the cast, but whilst checking the programme I spotted the name David Fynn and realised that Beetlejuice was being played by Wolfie from The Inbetweeners! He may have only had one episode, but it was a scene-stealing turn and gave us the very memorable “there’s looking older and then there’s THAT!”, which we still regularly paraphrase whenever something truly staggering comes along.

His performance was mind-blowingly good. He doesn’t just own the stage, he owns the theatre, regularly breaking the fourth wall, playfully bantering with the crowd and proving his mettle as a king of the undead song-and-dance men.

Playing alongside him is Hannah Nordberg, taking on the role of Lydia Deetz, made famous by Winona Ryder. She is tremendous throughout, delivering a vocal performance that rocks the very foundations of the Netherworld.

The show differs greatly from the movie, but that’s very much to its credit. Stage Beetlejuice is very different from the one Michael Keaton created. No longer is he the creepy old drunk uncle at the wedding that you can’t let anywhere near the bridesmaids; now he’s a pansexual phantasm with a cheeky quip and a two-step for all occasions.

This is a proper musical, with original songs that drive the narrative and naturally fit the plot.

One of the most glaring similarities between the film and the stage show is, in fact, the strength of its cast. In the movie, you incredibly have Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis and Catherine O’Hara in what are almost supporting roles, but each contributes significantly to the finished product.

In this show, the core cast of Chelsea Halfpenny, David Hunter, Alasdair Harvey and the theatre royalty that is Summer Strallen all bring their own talents to the fore, ensuring that every scene keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This was a fantastically fun evening of entertainment, and whilst I will always love what Keaton, Ryder and Burton brought to the table, I can only look at the performances of David Fynn and Hannah Nordberg and once again paraphrase Will from The Inbetweeners:

“There’s being talented and then there’s THAT!“

Clown Stars: * * * * *

@The Prince Edward Theatre, London

Tickets to Beetlejuice are still available until January. If you enjoyed this review you may also be interested in…