Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There’s something rotten in Manchester. Usually, that phrase would be more at home describing the city’s famously miserable weather, but on one of the hottest days ever recorded in the UK, the culprit is something altogether more entertaining.

The source of this particular rot is Something Rotten!, the award-winning Broadway smash hit making its UK premiere in Manchester. Packed with razor-sharp wit, infectious musical numbers and a gleeful irreverence towards Shakespeare, the production arrives with lofty expectations,and comfortably clears them, setting the bar(d) impressively high from the outset.

Set in 1590s London, the story follows brothers Nick Bottom (Jason Manford) and Nigel Bottom (Cassius Hackforth), who run a struggling theatre company and are desperately searching for their next hit. Unlike most sibling partnerships in showbusiness, the Bottom brothers actually get along remarkably well. Their only real point of contention is the megastar, A-list celebrity and rival playwright William Shakespeare (Richard Fleeshman). Nigel idolises the Bard, while Nick can barely conceal his contempt.

As financial pressures mount, Nick becomes increasingly desperate. Determined to secure a future for his ever-supportive wife Bea (Marisha Wallace), and realise their dream of owning a cottage big enough to start a family, whilst perhaps most importantly taking the spotlight from Shakespeare, he turns to increasingly unconventional methods in pursuit of theatrical success. But can his bold vision of introducing music and song into theatre really become the next big thing, and what will it cost him along the way?

This production is tremendously fun, absurd, ridiculous, and consistently entertaining. John O’Farrell’s book, combined with the songs by brothers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, creates a witty and joyous love letter to musical theatre while delivering a sharp satire of celebrity culture. Standout numbers include the spectacular ensemble piece A Musical and the delightfully silly Make An Omlette, just two highlights in a score packed with memorable moments.

The cast are in excellent form. Jason Manford is, as ever, a dependable leading man, once again showcasing his impressive vocals and impeccable comic timing. Richard Fleeshman is clearly having an absolute blast as the egotistical playwright, portraying him as a gloriously pompous rock star. He has superb vocals, on the wonderfully ludicrous Will Power and the Queen-inspired Hard to Be the Bard, once again providing another highlight.

Broadway star Marisha Wallace is excellent, if somewhat underused, as Bea. The role provides ample opportunity to showcase her exceptional vocals and natural gift for comedy, leaving you only wishing she had more stage time. Corey English is a delight as Nostradamus, delivering a scene-stealing performance, with his contribution to the aforementioned A Musical alone worth the price of admission.

Meanwhile, Cassius Hackforth has the unenviable task of playing perhaps the closest thing the show has to a level-headed presence. As the insecure yet immensely talented Nigel, he brings warmth, sincerity and likeability to the role, providing the perfect foil to the larger-than-life characters around him. 

The show boasts impressive production values throughout. Director and choreographer Tim Jackson delivers a series of superbly staged and choreographed song-and-dance numbers that burst with energy and spectacle. Colin Richmond’s set design perfectly captures the grime and atmosphere of Elizabethan London, creating an impressively detailed version that serves as a fitting backdrop to the action.

Completing the visual feast are Rebecca Brower’s bold and vibrant costume designs, which provide the perfect finishing touch. Their bright, flamboyant style complements the show’s larger-than-life personality and reinforces its gloriously unapologetic, in-your-face sense of fun.

This is escapist theatre at its finest, a joyous production that will leave you grinning from start to finish (and craving an omelette). As Shakespeare famously wrote, “If music be the food of love, play on”; and this show serves up a banquet of music, laughter and pure entertainment. I would wholeheartedly recommend tucking into this giant musical feast while it’s in Manchester.

Something Rotten! is on at Manchester Opera House until 19th July. Tickets available here.