Review: BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER - THE MUSICAL, Turbine Theatre
Photo credit: Mark Senior
Ready? OK! 5-6-7-8 the London premiere of this new musical about conversion therapy is really great!
Ok, my cheer skills are not quite as on parr as Alice Croft’s Megan, the titular cheerleader of Bill Augustin and Andrew Abrams’ new musical based on the 90s cult classic film about a glowing high school student whose enthusiasm for Georgia O’Keefe gets her sent off to ‘True Directions’, a rehabilitation camp to ‘set her straight’.
The Turbine Theatre’s latest original offering is a colourful riot of camp. This show, however, isn’t merely empty calories. A note in the programme from Artistic Director Paul Taylor-Mills reminds audience members that conversion therapy remains inexplicably and unforgivably legal in the UK, which makes this quintessentially American high school comedy surprisingly urgent.
The design team pay homage to the lurid pinks and blues of the original film, a high-camp colour scheme that was apparently panned by critics. I’ve never felt the slightest inclination to go to a gender reveal party, but maybe I’d seek one out if it was as wildly fun as this musical.
You can tell that the cast have a fantastic rapport – it’s such a treat to see a talented ensemble having so much fun onstage. The abounding joy that radiates from the stage is infectious and refreshing – this show doesn’t revel in queer trauma but celebrates queer love.
It seems unfair to single out any particular performances from this undeniably charismatic cast. Alice Croft is perfectly charming as burgeoning Sapphic Megan, with a sensational voice that rocks this vaulted venue more than the trains passing overhead. She is well matched by Evie Rose Lane who plays principal love interest Graham. The chemistry between these two is real and tender (and moved this reviewer to tears of lesbian joy).
For a generous running time of two and a half hours, the show wraps up bizarrely quickly and neatly, and while the frenetic energy of this cast is delightful to behold, occasionally their dashing around the tight turbine hall can feel a little clumsy and frantic. The production leans into jokes around Jodie Steele’s rushed costume changes as she hilariously leaps between characters. While charming (and don’t get me wrong, Steele is such a staggeringly accomplished performer, there is no doubt she pulls this off) perhaps this slapstick multi-roling might be ironed out in an expanded production.
But this show has everything: pompoms, drag routines, scorching sexuality and foil curtains…
But I’m A Cheerleader deserves a bigger stage and I’m very excited to see how this production develops. Goooooooo BIAC!
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Livvy Perrett
But I’m A Cheerleader runs at the Turbine Theatre until 16 April, with tickets available here.