Review: DEAR EVAN HANSEN, Nottingham Playhouse - Tour
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
Dear Evan Hansen has been performed all over the world and for the first time ever, it's heading out on a UK tour! The show has been shaken up and refreshed for this production, so even devoted fans can expect something new and exciting.
The story follows Evan Hansen; an awkward and anxious boy who is desperate to have a good year at school, as his life and lies spiral out of control following a misunderstanding after the suicide of his classmate, grumpy loner Connor Murphy. Wrongly believing that Evan was Connor's secret best friend, the Murphy family take him under their wing. Finding himself part of what he thinks is the dream family, and getting closer to Connor's sister Zoe that he's always fancied, as well as gaining popularity, Evan digs himself deeper and deeper into the lie; inventing a life that he and Connor had, but it soon gets out of control. What will happen if the truth gets out? Will Evan go back to being a nobody?
Ryan Kopel plays Evan wonderfully, perfectly portraying the socially awkward, anxious character. He manages to blend humour, with very touching heartfelt moments. You really feel those moments when Evan is extremely overwhelmed and, of course, his songs are beautifully sung and full of emotion.
Connor's sister Zoe is played by Lauren Conroy, who brings a brilliant complexity to the character and her difficult feelings following her brother's suicide. These complicated emotions are portrayed beautifully during her part of the song 'Requiem', when the character is struggling with her feelings, wondering why she should pretend her brother was a nice person when he was mean to her in life.
Killian Thomas Lefevre plays Connor in a very layered way. Despite being the scary, mean kid that no one likes, he seems to have moments of sweetness, suggesting that he is just as lonely and sad as Evan, but deals with his feelings in a different way. The moment that he signs Evan's cast actually seems like quite a tender moment. He is also very comedic as the imaginary version of Connor that Evan and his friend Jared (played by Tom Dickerson) invent as part of the lie; particularly in the song 'Sincerely Me', where all three boys are very funny.
Alice Fearn plays Evan's stressed-out mum wonderfully, trying to balance work and motherhood as a single mum, with some very genuine touching moments. Helen Anker and Richard Hurst portray Connor's parents and their complicated feelings following the death of their son very well also.
Chances are, even if you've never seen the show, you'll know some of the very catchy songs, and you'll definitely be humming them to yourself on the way home! A particularly powerful and memorable song is the infamous 'You Will Be Found', which is an exuberant and uplifting end to the first act.
The staging of the production is particularly interesting, with set pieces and large props coming on and off stage automatically, and the effective use of screens at the back of the stage to create different visuals. Dividing the stage is a moving wall of what looks like greenhouse windows with frosted glass, likely a nod to the show's most famous song 'Waving Through a Window'. This divider is utilised in many different creative ways to portray different scenes and settings. There are also a number of smaller screens that appear during parts where social media is overwhelming or uplifting Evan, to create a feel for how powerful the internet can be in both a positive and negative way. It is interesting to see the contrast between the two feelings this kind of looming presence can create depending on the circumstances.
Dear Evan Hansen is an uplifting show that tackles important issues. Expertly walking the line between laugh-out-loud humour, and heartbreaking moments that might make you tear up, and with songs that you'll be singing in your head for days!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Romy Morgan
Dear Evan Hansen plays at Nottingham Playhouse until 28 September, with tickets for select touring venues available here.