The Mad Ones

The Other Palace

A production filled with great potential in every area from creative to cast. Could this be one of the next best musicals?

How did you find trying to figure out what path to take when you were 18? It's a different experience for us all and this beautiful, wholesome musical explores the difficulties and pressures of growing up. Whilst reminding the audience of the importance of not taking elements of life that we treasure for granted.

Down in the comfy studio at the Other Palace is the setting for this new show written by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk. The cast are the most magnificent group of talented actors and actresses! You will be blown away and you'll shed a few tears. It's crashed into this London theatre after well reviewed run at the Old Joint Stock. The story follows the main character Samantha, played by Dora Gee, as she sits in her sits reflecting on her life so far. On her mental journey she is joined by her best friend, who she grieves the loss and regrets her actions. Her best friend Kelly is played by the extremely talented Courtney Stapleton.

Casting of this show is brilliant; the actors have clearly very quickly got comfortable with their roles and made them their own. Samantha's boyfriend is played by Gabriel Hinchliffe, he plays the naive, humble puppy character well and his solo in act two shows a clear character development that makes the audience love him more! ALSO... his vocals are divine. Dora Gee and Courtney Stapleton playing the two best friends have this unreal chemistry. They are two totally different people who compliment each other well and bring out their best sides. Their wholesome friendship almost feels romantic, and the audience will start to wonder as the show goes on whether Samantha's feelings towards Kelly are more than just friends. The whole cast have clearly worked tirelessly to make this musical the best it can be.

Never you mind, cast are not the only people who have worked hard on this musical! The staging is clever and poignant. Reuben Speed is the costume and set designer. A car bonnet is centre stage and the backdrop is broken mirrors. A couple areas of the broken mirrors reflect characters on the stage, as they replay moments from Samantha's past and communicate with her. This is stage magic! it's not clear how they do this. There is also a phone side stage that lights up in crucial moments to take Samantha back to her reality. Each element of staging present events in Samantha's life that have brought her to this turning point in her life plan. It's symbolic and well thought out!

Whilst the themes of grief, loss, sexuality and parent relationships are the heavy subjects of the show, they are approached in a lighthearted and reflective way. The comedy brings relief and the songs are colourful. This show is very much worth the watch, and it has so much potential! Get yourself down to The Other Palace and see this diamond in the making. It could be your new favourite musical too.

P.S there's more to come on 'Tab in The City' about this musical... an exciting interview incoming.