Mrs Doubtfire The Musical, UK Tour Review (2026)
Guaranteed to get everyone smiling, Mrs Doubtfire the Musical embarks on its first-ever UK and Ireland tour following its 2023 West End run. Following the trend of movie-to-stage adaptations, Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell’s book takes source material from one of the greatest films of the 90s, honours it perfectly for the fans, and then injects a lot of modern-day ideas to stop it from becoming ‘dated’ in any way.
Mrs Doubtfire the Musical shares the story of Daniel Hillard, a recently divorced voice actor who disguises himself as an elderly female nanny in order to continue spending time with his children. Whilst there are plenty of hilarious moments along the way, the musical also explores the impact that divorce can have on children, alongside an overriding warmth surrounding the bond between a parent and their children.
Wayne Kirkpatrick and Carey Kirkpatrick’s music in the show uplifts the narrative and doesn’t feel like it has been shoehorned into it. The range of songs that are intertwined includes some heartwarming solos like “Let Go” to electric big dance numbers like “That’s Daniel” where the ensemble can flex their dance ability to Lorin Lararro’s fierce choreography.
The biggest part of this musical is Gabriel Vick’s turn as Mrs Doubtfire/Daniel Hillard. A triumph of a performer full to the brim with versatility, Vick holds his performance so close to his chest. Many of the audiences who will experience this show on the road will hold Robin Williams’ unforgettable presence in the 1993 film so clearly in their mind. Vick does a fantastic job of encapsulating the best parts of his portrayal but makes Mrs Doubtfire completely his own for the stage. Not only is Vick excellent as both Daniel and Mrs Doubtfire, but he excellently displays his skill in voice acting in the show - which had the audience rolling in laughter and in complete awe of his sublime talent.
In this musical, we get the opportunity to delve into characters slightly further, which lands as it should. Aaliya Mai delivers more emotional depth into Lydia than we see in the film; she is more outspoken and takes on the responsibility of representing the child’s perspective on divorce. The layers that this adds to the musical are emotional, and Mai’s vocal range in “What the Hell!” is a showstopper. Kara Lily Hayworth allows us to understand Miranda Hillard as a loving mother with her own frustrations and vulnerabilities, with her rendition of “Let Go” allowing us to fully establish that she is more than just a frustrated parent like we do in the film. The other Hillard children, Alexander Beaumont and Hattie Leddington Wright, give beautiful performances.
Ryan Pidgen and Jairus McClanahan are immediately favourites with the audience as Frank Hillard and Andrew Mayen. Whenever they come on the stage, you can expect plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to enjoy!
Ultimately, Mrs Doubtfire the Musical proves that it is more than just a tribute to the beloved film. It’s a show full of heart, big belly laughs, and will leave you unexpectedly reaching for the tissues. Dears, whether you are a fan of the film or experiencing this story for the first time, Mrs Doubtfire the Musical is a belter of a musical!
Mrs Doubtfire the Musical plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until 19 September before embarking on a UK and Ireland tour until September 2027.
★ ★ ★ ★
Written by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic, August 2026.
