Review: SEIZE THE CHEESE! A NEW MUSICAL, New Wimbledon Theatre

Selected by New Wimbledon Theatre for its Premieres season, Seize the Cheese! is a new musical based around the world-famous cheese rolling event in Gloucestershire and those who partake in the dangerously exhilarating competition.

With a live band stationed upstage, the show takes place in the New Wimbledon Theatre’s Studio and effectively utilises the space, transporting the audience to the rolling hills of Gloucestershire with minimal staging and props. The core of the piece hinges on the characters resolving their own personal conflicts or insecurities, whilst attempting to secure the prize wheel of Double Gloucester at the end of the game; ‘seizing the cheese’ both figuratively and metaphorically. Although it’s a worthy and feelgood premise, Seize the Cheese! falls short of achieving this to the best of its ability. It is difficult to become invested in the characters' lives when we are given such a brief overview of their backstory whilst being thrown back and forth through various timelines, with little structure. The musical element of the piece is fun, although at times, the songs are a little repetitive and could benefit from being utilised more as a device to push the plot forward.

The cast is undeniably talented, breathing life into Kiren Virdee’s excellent choreography and showcasing their comedic skills. All cast members multi-role with the exception of the Keeper of the Cheese (Cathy McManamon), who is given the task of being both storyteller and a key character whose magical powers wain as a new Keeper of the Cheese must be found. The show slightly misses the mark here, with the Keeper of the Cheese storyline, at times, making the plot seem more disjointed than coherent, largely due to it feeling a little underdeveloped. The development of Phobia Phil, however, played by James Dangerfield, is the strongest of the multiple character side plots as we see him transform from a man who is deeply afraid of everything, even the colour purple, to finding his confidence in facing his fears during the finale of the play.

The standout performance of Travis Wood as the cheese himself is truly a delight, with an incredible singing range and the ability to bring elevated drama and a powerful presence to the stage. He successfully personifies the seductive allure that the Double Gloucester represents to the ‘cheese-seizers’, through effortless comedic timing and performative skill.

Bringing a cheese-themed musical to the stage is a commendable feat, and although it struggles to find its narrative rhythm, the foundations are there for a fun lighthearted show.

** Two stars

Reviewed by: Chess Hayden

Seize the Cheese! plays at New Wimbledon Theatre until 11 November, with further information here.