Mrs Doubtfire – The Hit Comedy Musical, Birmingham Hippodrome | Thurs 20 August 2025 until Sat 19 September 2026, then on tour ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Paul Gray and David Gray

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

Mrs Doubtfire – The Hit Comedy Musical

Birmingham Hippodrome | Thurs 20 August 2025 until Sat 19 September 2026, then on tour.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Paul Gray and David Gray

“A high-octane musical retelling of a much-loved film.”

This musical is so excellent because it doesn’t just rehash the plot of a much-loved hit film, with the addition of song and dance. Certainly, it remains faithful to the spirit of the film, but it does this while refreshing the story. It acknowledges the world has changed since 1993. And it incorporates these changes in its storytelling without losing sight of the fundamental and timeless emotional truths that sit at the heart of the fable.

The rise of the internet has had a huge world-changing impact since the Robin Williams film of Mrs Doubtfire was made. Book writers Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell exploit its comic and dramatic potential to the full. Mrs Doubtfire cleverly, and unexpectedly, freezes the children’s internet password so they have to do their homework.

When she is consulting blogs to learn how to cook, the bloggers step out from the screen and onto the stage to combine in a deliciously riotous song and dance production number. Think tap dancing chefs, and a Nigella-Lawson-type figure getting a bit saucy and extoling the virtues of her ‘Meecrowahvey’. It’s brilliantly conceived and superbly executed.

Modern references abound without seeming forced, or making the show feel self-consciously up to date. This is as it should be. It is a very current show with children at its core; some of whom happen to be adults too.

Lorin Latarro’s choreography is imaginative and tight, and the Kirkpatrick score is crisp and clever. The songs are well characterised and stylistically modelled to suit the characters delivering them. And if the music is not particularly memorable, so what? It works brilliantly well within the context of the story. It’s never not developing character or moving the plot forwards: it just works.

In the lead role, Gabriel Vick is phenomenal; a force of nature. His manic energy, and vocal and physical versatility are simply astonishing. So much so that, during the first act, which is so much about why Mrs Doubtfire comes to be, he threatens to overwhelm the show a little.

This imbalance settles down in the second act where the other characters are given room to develop. Kara Lily Hayward, as ex-wife Miranda, shines. This is a potentially thankless role. But she brings the role strength and warmth, so we really engage with her journey. Her rendition of ‘Let Go’ is achingly lovely. Aaliya Mai as eldest daughter, Lydia, also gives a rich and committed performance; her emotional arc is utterly convincing.

The rest of the cast is universally strong and seem to be having a whale of a time. Particularly Ryan Pidgen and Jarious McClanahan, who are hilarious as Daniel’s brother and brother-in-law.

The musical numbers lift the film’s many iconic moments and give them new life. And, at the end of the day, this show is really very funny. However, it also packs a huge emotional punch without ever crossing over into sickly sentimentality. It’s an absolute gem of a show.

Cast

Daniel Hillard – Gabriel Vick

Miranda Hillard – Kara Lily Hayworth

Lydia Hillard – Aaliya Mai

Frank Hillard – Ryan Pidgen

Andre Mayem – Jairus McClanahan

Stuart Dumire – James Darch

Wanda Sellner – Samuelle Durojaiye

Mr Jolly/Judge – Carl Patrick

Janet Lundy – Kiera Haynes

Flamenco Singer – Rhianne Alleyne

Christopher Hillard – Charlie Banks/Alexander Beaumont/Joshua Miles/Dexter Pulling

Natlie Hillard – Sanie Cohen/Harly Gill/Mila Isaacs/Hattie Leddington Wright

Creatives

Music & Lyrics – Wayne Kirkpatrick

Music, Lyrics & Book – Karey Kirkpatrick

Book – John O’Farrell

Director- Jerry Zaks

Choreographer – Lorin Latarro

Music Supervisor, Arranger & Orchestrator – Ethan Popp

Sets – David Korins

Costumes – Catherine Zuber

Lighting – Pilip S. Rosenberg

Sound – Gareth Owens

Heir Designer – David Brian Brown

Hair and Wigs – Sam Cox