Beetlejuice the Musical at Prince Edward Theatre Review
Beetlejuice The Musical. Photo by Johan Persson.
Written by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
After years of speculation, rumours, fan campaigns and industry buzz, Beetlejuice the Musical has finally arrived in the West End. The critically acclaimed Broadway hit, nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, has a lot of pressure riding on its success here in London. Does this long-awaited West End production, at the Prince Edward Theatre, live up to the hype?
Firstly, I think it’s important to acknowledge that Scott Brown and Anthony King’s book for this musical is distinctly American. Based on the 1988 film Beetlejuice by Tim Burton, rather than being a direct stage adaptation, Alex Timbers has managed to incorporate elements of British humour into it, giving it a sharper, more relatable tone to the audiences it is bringing into the West End show. This will be to personal tastes, and the writing provides some great nods towards popular West End shows, and does its best to modernise the comedy with the eponymous character making references to things being “woke” or making jokes relating to the toxic masculinity pipeline, while ultimately becoming the butt of the joke himself.
The storyline of Beetlejuice the Musical pretty much aligns with the one from the movie, but even with distinct differences, such as Barbara and Adam Maitland dying from an electrical shock rather than in a car crash. The Maitlands still inevitably have their house taken over by Charles, Delia and Lydia, whilst Beetlejuice desperately tries for someone who is living to say his name three times to return to the land of the living.
Beetlejuice the Musical’s set design by David Korins is bold and imaginative, and fills the Prince Edward Theatre perfectly. Korin’s design seamlessly distinguishes reality from the Netherworld through its striking visual contrasts and inventive staging. The set feels eerie and drenched in colour, despite being a show which is predominantly about death. Some incredibly built perspectives added homage to Tim Burton’s aesthetic in the films. We loved the addition of the actors’ hands and the supersized sandworm puppet, which would emerge from the side of the stage. The only drawback for me was the curtain dropping a little too frequently throughout the performance, which occasionally made transitions feel clunky and more drawn out than necessary to the overall pace of this show. People who have seen the Broadway production will notice that the set is basic in comparison, but overall, it’s of incredibly good quality. Kenneth Posner’s lighting design perfectly adds to the atmosphere of Beetlejuice the Musical, but for those sensitive to lights, there are a lot of flashing lights and bright lights throughout the whole duration of this show, which can make for an unpleasant experience, so definitely something to consider if you are planning a trip!
When Beetlejuice the Musical was announced, one of the things I was excited about was seeing who would be stepping into the larger-than-life shoes of Beetlejuice. David Fynn seizes Beetlejuice and makes the character unmistakably his own. Fynn has razor-sharp wit and cheekiness, whilst also revealing some vulnerability. Hannah Nordberg makes an outstanding contribution as Lydia; you immediately forget that this is, in fact, her West End debut. She breathes so much new life into this character with her rendition of ‘Death Mom, ’ being one of the best musical numbers of the evening.
David Hunter and Chelsea Halfpenny are gold with their take on the sickly sweet Maitlands. You couldn’t help but warm to their characters, whilst also laughing out loud at their misfortune of coming across Beetlejuice. Aimie Atkinson steals scene after scene as Delia, delivering some of the show’s sharpest comedic moments, and her performance of “No Reason” left audiences in awe. I also really enjoyed her chemistry with Alasdair Harvey, who plays Lydia’s dad, too.
Overall, Beetlejuice the Musical is everything you want a musical to be: uproarious and bursting with personality. This show has divided critics, with some giving it a lousy 2-star rating, and I honestly believe that West End critics have lost their heads. It’s a brilliant show that is incredibly entertaining for both fans and new audiences alike. Beetlejuice the Musical captures the dark charm of Tim Burton’s iconic movie whilst carving out an unforgettable identity of its own.
Beetlejuice is at the Prince Edward Theatre to 17 April 2027. Book Beetlejuice Tickets on SeatPlan.
★★★★★
