REVIEW | Something Rotten!, The English Theatre Frankfurt
Written by Jacqueline
Something Rotten! is a show which holds particular personal significance for me. I saw the original cast on Broadway in 2016 and then travelled ten hours in a day to see the touring cast at Washington D.C.’s National Theatre in 2018. For me, the witty script and the impeccable lyricism sets this show apart from others, and there’s something so special about watching a musical that is completely original rather than an adaptation of existing source material. I was delighted when the UK premiere was announced as part of the Birmingham Repertory’s 2020-21 season, only for that to be repeatedly postponed and eventually cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Suffice to say, The English Theatre Frankfurt’s production had a lot riding on it. My hopes for the show were sky-high, and I couldn’t wait to see how the new creative team put their own spin on one of my favourite shows.
Something Rotten! is a comedy musical with music and lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. Set in 1595, William Shakespeare is at the peak of his career, churning out hit after hit. Meanwhile, brothers Nick (Greg Miller Burns) and Nigel (Sami Kedar) Bottom fail to write even one successful production, much to their dismay. After the soothsayer Nostradamus (no, not that one- Thomas Nostradamus, played by Tom Watson) tells Nick that musicals are to be the future of live theatre (during an eight-minute musical number, naturally) chaos and comedy ensue.
From seeing the initial promotional images, I knew that the show was in safe hands. Stewart J. Charlesworth’s set and costume design incorporates many of the best elements from the show’s original creative team, while simultaneously putting his own artistic spin on it. The set fills the space perfectly and I found myself constantly spotting tiny details in both the scenic and the costume design, highlighting just how much care and attention has gone into this production. References to different plays and musicals can be spotted in the design of numerous scenes. Some of these are obvious but other, more subtle references feel like more of an inside joke between the creative team and the audience. The entire show feels, in many ways, like a love letter to the genre of musical theatre and these design choices and references to other productions truly emphasise that.
Something Rotten! has a score that seamlessly amalgamates numerous genres- from the traditional musical theatre style ‘Welcome to the Renaissance’; to the rock-influenced ‘Will Power’; to the folk-sounding ‘I Love the Way’. The music is performed flawlessly by a live band led by musical director Mal Hall. Something Rotten! marks Hall’s fifth production at the English Theatre. It was a particular highlight to see the band onstage for a bow at the end of the show, enjoying their well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Ewan Jones’ choreography elevates the score even further and makes full use of the set and space onstage. Particular highlights for me included ‘We See the Light’, ‘Make an Omelette’ and of course, ‘A Musical’ though it is hard to select just a few.
The cast, consisting of fourteen performers, is small but mighty. Greg Miller Burns plays Nick Bottom, a man simply trying to support his family when times are hard. He brings a lot of nuance to the role, emphasising Nick’s inner turmoil and struggles to make the right decision- his rendition of ‘To Thine Own Self’ (alongside Sami Kedar as Nigel) encapsulates this seamlessly. Sami Kedar portrays Nigel perfectly as both a lovesick poet and a younger brother learning to stand on his own two feet. His scenes with Portia (Briana Kelly) are charming, and some of the highlights of the show. Brianna Kelly brings a wholesome naivety to Portia, as well as soaring vocals. As Nick’s ‘Right Hand Man’, Rachael Archer’s Bea is a confident, forward-thinking woman who won’t let societal expectations stop her from doing what she wants- I only wish she had more time onstage. Tom Watson’s Nostradamus is a complete scene-stealer, and his intonation and mannerisms in every line were quite simply hilarious. As Shakespeare, Matt Beveridge brings endless confidence and arrogance to his character in a way that you can’t help but enjoy. The ensemble (Bradley Adams, Bethany Amber-Wilde, William Beckerleg, Estelle Denison-French, Liam Huband, Jonathan Norman, Chris Tarsey and Myles Waby) complete the cast and must be applauded for the way in which they bring unbridled enthusiasm to every single line, as well as their impeccable performance of Ewan Jones’ choreography.
Overall, Something Rotten! is simply two and a half hours of unadulterated, unbridled joy. It is hard to emphasise enough how strong this new production is, and it easily outshines many of the shows currently playing in London’s West End. I honestly believe that the finale puts it better than I ever could: this is- “a must-see, magical, new original musical”- even if seeing the show does involve a flight to Germany!
At The English Theatre Frankfurt until 31 March 2024.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
