Max Bispham

13 Going on 30

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Based on the iconic 2004 film starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, 13 Going on 30 introduces us to 13-year-old Jenna Rink who, following on from her not so successful 13th birthday party wakes up as her 30-year-old self, a highly motivated New York magazine editor. Successful she may be, but she soon realises that life as a high-flyer isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. At 13 she wished to be thirty, flirty and thriving yet the reality isn’t quite as fulfilling as she hoped for. In a desperate bid to figure out who she really is Jenna tracks down an old friend which sends her on a path of self-discovery, lucky for us she’s taking us along for the ride.

Lucie Jones is perfectly cast as Jenna, kooky and charismatic with soaring vocals she takes the role and truly makes it her own. Her Jenna is warm, witty and enormously likeable. The pairing of Lucie Jones and David Hunter as Matt is perfection, they bounce off each other brilliantly and have you rooting for them from the start. Hunter is a joy as Matt, retaining the witty sarcasm Ruffalo gave us in the film while ensuing the character brings a genuine charm and vulnerability to this uplifting production. Their relationship feels entirely believable and as an audience we fall just a little bit in love with them both.

Of course, every good story needs a little jeopardy, and we have that in the form of Grace Mouat as Lucy Wyam, a mean girl from Jenna’s high school days who now works alongside her at Poise magazine. As a faux friend Mouat is deliciously devilish, her razor-sharp comebacks are hilarious while her sour-faced sass slays.

Both young Jenna, Amelia Minto and young Matt, Max Bispham at tonight’s performance are absolute knockouts, immensely talented and totally mesmerising on stage. Long and successful careers no doubt lie ahead of this talented duo. A special mention must also go to the young company who are incredible throughout, their energy and talent is unrivalled.

While the film soundtrack brought us absolute bangers from Pat Bentar’s Love Is a Battlefield to Madonna’s Crazy for You, the musical mostly uses original music and lyrics from Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner. Opening number Wanna Be is superbly delivered by the young company, (Team Thirteen at tonight’s performance) while Too Late is the perfect Act 1 closer giving us beautifully moving moments as we see the younger and older versions of Jenna and Matt perform together.

One song we absolutely couldn’t lose from the film soundtrack gladly remains giving us the iconic Thriller scene. Choreographer Jennifer Weber adds to the beloved original choreography making this a real stand out moment in the show that could even afford to go a little bigger, really taking this scene to the next level.

 

The original songs are melodic and warmly uplifting, while the nostalgic amongst us may well go away wishing a sprinkling more of the original soundtrack would have made an appearance new audiences won’t feel anything is missing.

Book writers Josh Goldsmith & Cathy Yusp have done a great job of staying true to the film while adding depth and creativity for theatre audiences. 

Director Andy Fickman has done a brilliant job of ensuring this talented cast deliver each scene with real heart and precision.

13 Going on 30 is like a cosy hug with your favourite fluffy pillow, uplifting, joyful and a whole lot of fun. It’ll remind you that life is all about the connections we make along the way while thoroughly entertaining you from start to finish.

13 Going on 30 is on at Manchester’s Opera House until Sunday 12th October tickets are available here

The Parent Agency

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Reviewed by Matthew Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Baddiel will be familiar to many of us for different reasons. For some, we know him for stand-up and comedy. Whilst for others, he’ll have provided the soundtrack to another heartbreaking defeat for the England football team. Others may know him for his work as a playwright, or for his charity work. A blind spot for me was Baddiel’s work as an author of children’s literature – with ten books aimed at children, it would be fair to say this aspect of his career is going well.

Well now he can add musical theatre to his impressive CV. Baddiel teams up with composer Dan Gillespie Sells, who composed the mega smash hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, to bring The Parent Agency to life as it receives its world premiere at Chester’s Storyhouse.

Based on Baddiel’s first children’s book, The Parent Agency focuses on Barry, a ten-year old boy rapidly approaching his 11th birthday. Barry has big plans for his special day: a James Bond themed party complete with Bond gadgets and a ride in a fancy car. However, things aren’t looking great, with Barry’s dad, Geoff, picking up the wrong Casino Royle DVD for the party, the David Niven one! This is the final straw for the young boy, who resents his parents for naming him Barry in the first place. On top of that he finds them boring and hates that they are poor.

An argument between Barry and the rest of his family sees him storm off to his room. With only his posters of James Bond and French footballer, Kylian Mbappé for company, he wishes he had better parents. With this wish Barry is transported to The Parent Agency or TPA for short. At TPA the children can pick their parents. Barry has the four days before his birthday to be matched up with his perfect parents. If they fail, something that has never happened before, something unspeakable will happen to Barry.

There is so much to enjoy about the production, it’s an absolute treat from start to finish. At tonight’s performance, Max Bispham was in fine form as Barry: charismatic, charming and filled with warmth and wit. He showcases superb comic timing, matched with a tremendous singing voice.

Rebecca McKinnis and Rakesh Boury are an awesome pairing as Barry’s mum and dad, Susan and Geoff. However, it’s as the various potential parents where the pair absolutely smash it. These include the super-rich, monstrous Rader-Welllorffs and the fitness enthusiasts the Fwahms. As well as the self-centred celebrities Vlassorina, and my own personal favourite, the flakey, hippy hipsters the Cools. Both Mckinnis and Boury go all in and embrace the absurdity of each character and it’s an absolute joy to watch.

Under Tim Jackson’s direction, the action is fast paced and slick. The big comic set pieces work brilliantly with the undoubted highlight being the Fwahm’s Van Halen’s Jump inspired fitness routine – as stunning as it is bonkers. Whilst the Cool’s red double decker bus sequence, is more Rik Mayall’s Young Ones, than Sir Cliff’s! The added extra touches of money raining down upon the audience as well as smoke filled bubbles completely enchanted the younger audience members, as well as some of us oldies too!

Baddiel’s script is smart, witty, with the right balance between big laughs, and beautiful, touching observations about family. It’s refreshing to see a show that doesn’t pitch some of its jokes at adults, and some at kids. Here the jokes are universal and highlights how a great gag can be enjoyed by an audience of all ages.

The musical numbers are catchy, with Barry being the perfect opener, whilst The Rador-Wellorffs and Gonna Make You Sweat are superbly silly, aided by some stunning visuals and outstanding work from the insanely talented ensemble cast. Costume design by Sarah Mercadé is outstanding, and combined with the skills of this incredible cast completely transports you into the world of the TPA. Barry’s parents Susan and Geoff (Mckinnis and Boury) convince us entirely that they are different characters with each costume change. All the creatives involved have excelled themselves creating a truly memorable production which will easily sit at home in the West End. Visually it is stunning, with the attention to detail second to none.

This is a truly joyous production, with plenty of heart, and something for everyone: an enormously entertaining and hugely enjoyable story, told with incredible set pieces and super slick humour. We’d better get used to the name Barry coming back in fashion, because The Parent Agency is going to be around for quite some time, and according to my 9 year old mini-reviewer, “The best show I’ve ever seen”.

The Parent Agency runs until 2nd March tickets are available here.

Images Mark McNulty and also supplied by the production.