Just So, National Youth Music TheatreBirmingham Hippodrome, 13 August 2026 | until 15 August 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
Photo credit: Liza Heinrichs
Just So, National Youth Music Theatre
Birmingham Hippodrome, 13 August 2026 | until 15 August 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by David Gray & Paul Gray
“A vibrant show packed full of talent, energy and enthusiasm.”
This is the perfect show for a talented cast of young aspiring music theatre performers. It is vibrant and dazzlingly imaginative storytelling which is well suited to the energy and enthusiasm of the cast.
The eclectic, pastiche-heavy nature of the score creates a varied range of stylistic experiences for the cast to explore and enjoy. Everything is there, from contemporary movement to tap-dancing on suitcases!
The stripped back staging is potentially exposing – there is nothing to hide behind – and this also means there is nothing to distract from the profusion of outstanding talent on display. The whole weight of the experience rests on the performers. Fortunately, they are all more than up to the task.
From the word go, one cannot but be struck by the total commitment of every single person on the stage. The ensemble choreography is tight, the choral sound impressive and surprisingly rich. Complex harmonies are delivered with precision and confidence.
But this is more than just a highly polished performance machine. There also is so much individuality, so much quirkiness; everyone is having so much fun. This is infectious.
In the pivotal role of the Eldest Magician, Stanley Searl brings wit, warmth and wisdom. This is a functionally complex character who is both part of the narrative and its narrator. He negotiates the huge technical challenges with great skill.
Daniel Lee is grounded and mature as the Elephant’s Child. As his travelling companion, Sophie Ellis-Kemp is a charismatic Kolokolo Bird and delivers one of the strongest vocal performances in the show. Her song. “Wait a Bit” is heart-wrenchingly lovely.
But this is just one incredibly strong performance among many. The solo ensemble singing is excellent; well-blended and pitch perfect. The vocal characterisations are all richly detailed and well defined, and the diction is flawless.
Only occasionally some of the young voices sound as though too much is being asked of them. There is a little bit of over-forced singing, and tuning suffers as a result. But this is a very minor quibble.
On the whole, this show is an absolute joy from beginning to end: a crackling explosion of electricity. On the evidence of this the future of British Musical Theatre is in safe hands.
Cast
Victoria Mokumo – Cooking Stove
Archie Elliot – Crocodile
Florance Swan – Dingo Dog
Stanley Searl – Eldest Magician
Eleanor Golding – Elephant
Emma Kelsall – Elephant
Oscar Riley – Elephant
Daniel Lee – Elephant’s Child
Millie Henderson – Giraffe
Kit Barnes – Jaguar
Lucas Theodorou – Kangaroo
Patrick O Grady – King Elephant
Sophie Ellis-Kemp – Kolokolo Bird
Samuel Palliser Kehoe – Leopard
Sam Darcy – Parsee Man
Tochi Arinze – Queen Elephant
Joshua Simango – Rhino
Felix Richardson-Horscroft – Wallaby
Thoe Wigmore/Charlie Carter/Emilia Wright/Jamie Then – Wildebeests
Daisy Winbolt-Robertson – Zebra
Ensemble – Toby Barton/Amelie Beech/Leo Bellamy/Ruby Chaloner/Neusa Gabriel/Luke Groarke/Desiree Hernandez/Maisie Jackson/Adam Sangster/Conor Smyth/Clara Suss-Francksen
Creatives
Music – George Stiles
Book & Lyrics – Anthony Drewe
Georgie Rankcom – Director
Same Wilson-Freeman – Choreographer
Giovanna Ryan – Musical Director
Josh Cottell - Orchestrator
Libby Todd - Sets
Lucia Sanchez Roldan - Lighting
Sam Glossop & Harry Greatorex – Sound
Christianna Mason - Costume