To the untrained eye, new musical Vanara, written by Tony Cucchiara with music by Gianluca Cucchiara and lyrics by Andre James Whelon, could appear to be yet another iteration of Romeo and Juliet. With its tale of two star crossed lovers, warring tribes akin to the Montagues and the Capulets, and even an opening speech by the Orozna with a line similar to the classic “two families, both alike in dignity” passage, it could be yet another retelling of Shakespeare’s classic.

However, on seeing the musical at the Hackney Empire last night, it is much more than that. It is a post apocalyptic tale of some of the last humans on Earth struggling to survive after human greed ruined the environment. Despite the struggle for survival, these people are still very much human with human emotions and feelings, conveyed by the Romeo and Juliet-like narrative. With its visually appealing costumes, realistic themes, tale of forbidden love, diverse cast and elaborate choreography, Vanara is a post apocalyptic dystopian West Side Story  for the modern age.

The music of Vanara includes breath-taking ensemble pieces, sweet and passionate love ballads and unrequited love laments, most of it being incredibly emotive and enduring, with a few comic moments. Ayla’s song ‘Prayer to the Moon’ in the second act is probably the most standout heart wrenching number, conveying the character’s internal conflict amazingly. 

The cast beautifully bring the show to life, including Jacob Fowler as the young protagonist Mohr, heir to the forest dwelling Pana tribe who, with his handsome looks and stunning voice, reminds us of a young Ramin Karimloo. Emily Bautista as Ayla, heir to the mountain dwelling Kogalist tribe gives a performance that rivals Eva Noblezada from the earlier workshop productions. Both leads convey the lovers as strong, vulnerable, complicated and not simply vapid lovers who stare into each others eyes. They are also given a sense of wisdom unlike earlier versions of the characters and you get the sense that they are adults, as opposed to being wide eyed and naive children.

Kayleigh McKnight plays Sindha and being in love with Mohr herself, it is easy to see how her character could become the typical fan favourite affected by unrequited love. McKnight gives a spunky yet tender performance. Today’s vogue of social justice, feminism and progressivism is portrayed in the way Sindha and Ayla are not directly depicted as rivals or hating each other, in the way two women in love with one man are typically portrayed.

Johnnie Fiori is hilarious and entertaining as The Orozna, an aged mystic who serves as a quasi narrator for the story. Her powerful voice and magnetic performance brings such life to the character. Cavin Cornwall and Carole Stennett are majestic and powerful as the leaders of the Kogalisk Tonah and Crohm, whilst Glenn Carter and Samantha Mercer give a more light hearted performance as Tahl and Utza, leaders of the Pana, both giving more complexity to the characters than has ever been given to Lord and Lady Capulet and Montague. 

The musical also has a strong message of female empowerment that is not present in earlier adaptations of Shakespeare's play, since women are seen as being as important as men in this society, and it is not uncommon for women to rule, especially in the Kogalisk. Furthermore, there are many environmental implications as the setting is implied to be a ruined Earth that the people try to protect, which is also very relevant and important in this day and age. 

The central conflict is over the fact that the Kogalisk hold the secret to making fire, which the Pana want to take, and the two tribes therefore are at odds with one another, and throughout the narrative and her love for Mohr, Ayla starts to question why they cannot share the secret. 

This is a sweeping, powerful and emotive story with a minimal set that helps us focus on the show stopping musical numbers, compelling characters and beautiful costumes designed by Libby Todd.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Alexis Casey Grey

Vanara - The Legend runs at Hackney Empire until 30 October. To book tickets, please click here.