The Emu War: A New Musical Review
Written by Beth for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.
The Emu War: A New Musical is written by Lotte Pearl (book, music and lyrics) and Toby Little (music) and is nothing short of a triumph. Inspired by the true events of the Great Emu War in 1932, this fun comedy musical follows WW1 Veterans growing wheat in the Australian outback.
When the government sends in an army to help protect the wheat from the emus, the soldiers get more than they bargained for in this war of man vs Emu.
Read more: Interview with Lotte Pearl, The Emu War: A New Musical
The use of sock puppets and tutu-style skirts to become emus is a brilliant stroke of ingenuity and Spike Maxwell's expressive choreography provides the emus with fun individual personalities.
The cast and musicians are phenomenal. Each character is beautifully developed and crafted with the casts personas and Maxwell's choreography to be a wholly believable individual. Songs are mostly fun and silly but a couple of gut-punching vulnerable moments in songs contrast the tone and allow the musical to subtly discuss themes of mental health, LGBTQ+, conservation and politics whilst staying hugely enjoyable.
The Emu War: A New Musical is a wonderful showcase of fringe theatre at its best with a stunning book and performance that wouldn't be out of place in the West End.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
