A Theatrical Musical Like No Other…BACK TO THE FUTURE

A Theatrical Musical Like No Other

by Caroline-Artemis Laspas

So, when I saw the latest London West-end show playing at the Adelphi Theatre was a musical version of the 1980’s film ‘BACK TO THE FUTURE’, I really thought; How can you successfully make a musical out of this film? … I was wrong, you can...

it was amazing!

Without doubt, this stage production has truly broken the mould of west end theatre.

An iconic film from the 1980’s, saw the eccentric scientist ‘Doc’ Emmett Brown invent a time travelling car by retrofitting a DMC DeLorean with a flux capacitor. When the course of history is accidentally changed, it becomes a race against time for his young friend, Marty McFly to go….back to the future.

From the beginning, the stage surround set was innovative and extended out from the stage and into the auditorium. It was the internal motherboard of a computer complete with lights and bleeps.

The theatre bar is decorated with the Doc’s equations and drawings and the famous huge town hall clock face is there so you can take photos in front of it. There are also behind the scenes photos from the original film set around the bar area too.

Once it was curtains up, it was a night of nonstop song, dance and spectacular stage effects.

The number of stage set changes was incredible; the sets themselves were simple and very effective.

The songs and dances were beautifully choreographed and the costumes spanned from the 1980s with leg warmers and perm-hairstyles to the flared dresses of the 1950’s with every detail of the era included.

All the actors in the cast were superb and Marty, played by Olly Dobson had the same excitable bouncy nature that Michael J Fox had in the film. The Doc was played by Tony Award winner, Roger Bart who added additional comedy to the proceedings.

The special effects were the most amazing aspect of the show – you had to remind yourself you were not watching a screen but live theatre.

It is rare that I have been in a theatre and seen the audience erupt with applause at such effects.

However, the crème de la crème of effects was at the end of the show when the Doc and Marty both go back to the future and the DeLorean is lifted off the stage and then extends out over the auditorium – I have never seen anything like it on stage!

This show is worth seeing just for the special effects, but you will not be disappointed with your evening out.

So next time you are in London head for a night out in the Westend! And don’t forget, group bookings are also available for most events and a trip to the theatre is a great incentive for staff and clients.

From start to finish this show is fun, with heart and soul and by the end of it you will truly believe that a car can fly!