Our House, National Youth Music Theatre Review

Photo by Corinne Cumming

Written by Emily for Theatre and Tonic.

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

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National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) presents Our House, as part of their 2024 season. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Our House is a musical revolving around the music of the British band, Madness. 

We first meet Joe Casey as he makes a choice on his 16th birthday. We then follow Joe and the two paths he could take, as a result of this choice- the “right” and the “wrong”. In this production, young people take centre stage, as well as making up the orchestra and taking on various creative and technical roles. 

The lead roles are played with confidence and skill and there are too many entertaining cameo performances to mention. Des Coghlan-Forbes has a charm about him as Joe and displays a good range of emotion throughout. Sara Belal is excellent as love interest, Sarah. Her rendition of the song “NW5” in Act 2 is particularly impressive and one of the highlights of the whole production. Also of note is Abbie Palliser Kehoe as Joe’s mum, Kath. She has a warmth to her acting, which comes across beautifully on stage. The relationship between mother and son in their scenes together is a joy to watch.    

The large ensemble numbers, choreographed by Simon Hardwick, are slick and the performers are extremely well-drilled. Their energy never wavers from the moment they step on stage and it’s clear they’re all loving performing. The choreography paired with iconic songs makes for some show-stopping sequences. The talented young musicians wouldn’t look or sound out of place in a West End orchestra pit, and the entire cast’s vocals are strong. 

Costumes are in keeping with Director Nick Evans' decision to lift the production “out of any specific time, to show that this is a story that is still immediate in the multicultural London of 2024”. All characters have their own style, which helps to make them memorable. The “show girl” outfits a few ensemble members wear during the start of the second act are particularly effective.  

Jukebox musicals aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but this production, delivered by a talented team of young people, is fun and full of skilled, high energy performances. I found myself wanting to get up and dance with them all at the end. If the performances from these actors and musicians are anything to go by, the future of musical theatre is in safe hands. 

At Southwark Playhouse Elephant until 24 August 2024. 
★ ★ ★ ★