Review: NEXT TO NORMAL, Wyndham’s Theatre
Photo credit: Marc Brenner
Next to Normal premiered Off-Broadway in 2008 and has since ascended to the heights of musical theatre fame, earning its place among the great modern Broadway hits. With music from the Tony, Grammy and Emmy award winner Tom Kitt and a book & lyrics by the equally acclaimed Brian Yorkey, the return of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical to the UK after a sell-out run at the Donmar Warehouse, has been one of great excitement. Now showing at the Wyndham’s Theatre until September, it is safe to say this latest staging of the production directed by Michael Longhurst will not disappoint, delivering a powerful and entertaining narrative about family, mental illness, loss, and grief.
** SPOILER ALERT **
The story centres around the Goodman family who have been upended by the matriarch of the family Diana (Cassie Levy), and her battle with bipolar disorder and depression. As the musical unfolds, Diana's husband Dan (Jamie Parker), struggles to support his wife while grappling with his own feelings of helplessness and denial while their teenage daughter Natalie (Eleanor Worthington-Cox) faces emotional neglect due to her mother's condition. All the while, the family are haunted by the memory of Diana and Dan's deceased son, Gabe (Jack Wolfe), triggering disturbing episodes and sending the family on a quest for effective treatment.
With the topic of mental illness becoming more widely talked about and the stigma of living with conditions that effect a person’s day to day life in such a profound way being explored publicly more, engaging with a heavy theme such as this through the medium of musical theatre is a risk. The potential to misinterpret lived experiences or to cause offence is real, however, Next to Normal tackles the topic head on without fear and sensitivity. The option to hide through song and to give darker moments a lighter touch is still there and at times falls into the over sentimental but it uses the power of music to extract and evoke something more primal and human the majority of the time. Often audiences enjoy a cathartic tear jerker and trust us, tears will be shed but this show goes further to unlock deeper emotions, a bold and admirable characteristic of this production setting apart from others.
Olivier and Grammy award nominated musical theatre veteran Levy as Diana delivers a brave and powerful performance. Her portrayal of a woman grappling with such a sensitive condition is raw, nuanced, and profoundly moving. Her vocals offer emotional depth to bring Diana's journey to life in a way that is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Parker as Dan is equally compelling. Known for his roles in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Parker brings a palpable sense of vulnerability and steadfastness to the role of a husband trying to keep his family together amidst chaos. His chemistry with Levy is palpable, adding layers of authenticity to their troubled relationship.
Eleanor Worthington-Cox shines as the young Natalie, capturing the turmoil of a teenager feeling neglected and overshadowed by her mother's illness. Her portrayal is both mature and relatable showing the wisdom yet naivety in youth, especially in her interactions with Jack Ofrecio's portrayal of Natalie’s boyfriend, Henry. Ofrecio's warmth and earnestness provide a much-needed contrast to the Goodman family’s turmoil.
Wolfe as Gabe delivers a haunting performance. His presence looms large over the family, embodying both the pain of loss and the spectral figure of a son who never truly left. Wolfe's vocals soar over the others, adding an eerie yet captivating dimension to the show, and Trevor Dion Nicholas as the doctor willing to experiment with new treatments to ultimately help Diana is multi faceted as he becomes both a villain and saviour in moments.
The music, with its blend of rock and heartfelt ballads, drives the narrative forward with emotional intensity. Each song is meticulously crafted to reflect the characters' inner worlds, making the musical a visceral experience. Each song weaves through the story, becoming more than a stand alone number.
The production's design elements are intimate allowing audiences to deeply connect with the characters' emotional journeys. The centre consists of a rotating kitchen bench enabling moments of spacial transformation amidst a mundane setting of a family home. The musicians, who are visible or in silhouette the entire show, take centre stage as much as the actors. In a way, this personifies the music as a chaotic character flying around the space, another type of invisible force like the mental illness itself. Likewise, the use of light and shadow, in particular, is effective in conveying the fluctuating realities of Diana’s mental state.
What sets this production apart is its unflinching honesty. Next to Normal does not shy away from the harsh realities of mental illness and its impact on families. Instead, it presents these themes with empathy and a hopeful undertone, making it both a challenging and uplifting experience. However, it has to be acknowledged that this is a particular insight into the understanding of treatment available for illnesses of this nature and the Goodman’s are a white middle class family with seemingly endless resources to treat Diana’s condition. This is not to dismiss the opportunity that the family are afforded but the reality is that many people do not have access to what they do or a family structure to scaffold the troubling events that take place. Therefore, what would this story look like in a working class environment? Mental illness is not exclusive to any one class but the privilege to treat it unfortunately is. This is one story and will hopefully provoke a broader conversation.
Next to Normal at the Wyndham Theatre is a masterful revival of a modern classic. It is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring strength of family. This production will stay with audiences long after the final curtain call. The universal struggle to find balance and healing is all too relatable.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Stephanie Osztreicher
Next to Normal plays at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre until 21 September, with tickets available here.
