Review: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR ROCK OPERA], Park Theatre London

Photo credit: Mark Douet

There are many odd concepts and topics that audiences may question becoming musicals, but an ex-UK Prime Minister is probably quite high on that list!

Eight years after Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s famous flop, I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical, the duo bring their new show, Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] to London. Tony! follows the life of Tony Blair, previous Prime Minister and Labour Party leader in a whistlestop tour from birth to the end of his run in office.

So, does it work as a piece? In short, as it stands not quite yet. The show is filled with laugh a minute moments that Harry Hill fans will know and love, but there is something missing in this piece. Many of the jokes fall a little flat and the more serious moments miss the opportunity to take the audience to a more vulnerable place.

Even with a strong cast of theatre and comedy veterans and newcomers, some of the comedic lines are lost through rushed delivery, with a script that packs so much into each scene. Those in the audience who may be unfamiliar with political events and individuals may struggle with the material further. 

Nevertheless, Harry Hill’s book attempts to, and for many may successfully, appeal to more than just British politics and comedy fans. It’s packed full of pop culture references and nostalgia to keep audiences of all generations entertained but to take this show to a place where it is commercially appealing “for the many and not the few”, work needs to be done.

We see snippets of real brilliance throughout Tony!, such as Madison Swan’s perfect embodiment of a parodied Princess Diana and Gary Trainor’s hilarious inexpressive performance as Gordon Brown. There is so much potential in this cast, in these larger than life characters and a show that satires politics in a continually challenging political landscape, but some of the characterisations could go further to cross the line into a truly ridiculous place.

The songs in Tony! are some of the catchiest around. Whilst they’re not trying to be masterpieces and audience members may not leave the theatre with the tunes whirring through their heads on their way home, Charlie Baker (Tony Blair) really comes alive during the songs he leads, giving us half-witted, “dead behind the eyes” PM and his joy as the ever-smiling Tony and clearly as a performer is infectious.

There is certainly room in musical theatre for a show like Tony! and with a few changes, a future production could see a landslide victory.

A different and must-be-seen-to-be-believed night at the theatre. We hope this isn’t the last for this new musical!

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Cat Hancock

Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] plays at the Park Theatre until 9 July, with tickets available here.