Lucie Jones and David Hunter in 13 Going on 30 The Musical.

Written by Siobhán Roisin for Theatre & Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

Film to Musical adaptations are all the range nowadays, with 13 Going on 30 (the 2004 hit romcom) being the newest to hit the stage - and with Jennifer Garner swapping from leading lady to executive producer this time round, there's understandably a lot of buzz surrounding this show.

Sticking to the original plot, we meet a 13-year-old Jenna Rink who is desperately trying to fit in with the popular kids in middle school. However, like most of us are in early teenhood - she is a wallflower, as is her best friend Matty, who is hopelessly in love with his next door neighbour Jenna. We are quickly taken into Jenna’s 13th birthday party, where everything goes wrong, and she finds herself wishing she could grow up and become ‘thirty, flirty and thriving,’ and with the help of a little magic, she wakes up as exactly that.

The show has all the elements of fun, campness and early noughties nostalgia- honouring the film perfectly with characters we know and love. The songs are excellent, catchy, and each member of the cast doesn't miss a single beat - and our Jenna, played by Lucie Jones, is a musical powerhouse. Although every note is perfect, the singing isn't enough of a performance to get us on side with these familiar characters.

Jones’ portrayal of Jenna can sometimes fall flat, with awkward moments of physicality not matching up to a 13-year-old waking up in a 30-year-old’s body. But it isn't all on Jones, unfortunately, the rest of the team 30 cast are lacking in energy often, and quite often are one-dimensional in characterisation. In the original film, the character of Lucy isn't just your stereotypical mean girl; she shows moments of vulnerability, relatability and likability. However, this version of Lucy (played by Grace Mouat) doesn't ever reach the complexity of what this character can offer to the story, and the overall result is a climax of betrayal from the character that doesn't shock or surprise anyone.

Amongst the chaos of questionable Canadian accents and jokes that we see in the character Alex (Dominic Andersen), or the low energy performance tones from David Hunter as Matty - we do receive stand out performances from the team 13 cast. The stage erupts with life when young Jenna and Matty enter, and whenever the full cast of the young team takes to the stage with fast-paced choreography or group ensemble numbers, there's an electric shift where the stage show feels exactly how the film does.

With a second half that feels a little underwhelming, we welcome the last number Here and Now with open arms, as it is the perfect end and a celebration of the characters honouring their younger selves, and naturally makes us feel connected to our own teenage years.

13 Going on 30 the Musical plays at the Manchester Opera House until the 12th of October, and is truly fun for all the family. You don’t need to have watched the original film to have a great night watching this production, in fact, you may enjoy it more without knowing what this version has left out.

★★★

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