The Book Of Mormon
Location: Tuesday 22nd April
Date Seen: 22th March 2016
Seen With: N/A
Understudies at This Performance: Sean Parkins as The Doctor, Oliver Ormson &
David McMullan (Swings)
Summary
The
fact that this was the fifth time I saw The Book Of Mormon speaks volumes. It
is an extremely original show with high energy and a great story. It has some
moral lessons within it as well as being rip-roaringly funny. The basic plot of the musical follows two
Elders who are assigned to Uganda
Acting
The
acting in this show is what makes it. There are clear contrasts between the two
main Elders who could not be more different played by K.J Hippensteel as Elder
Price and Brian Sears as Elder Cunningham. Elder Price is played clean and
precise whilst Elder Cunningham is played more erratic and excitable. Stephen
Ashfield’s Elder McKinley is stand out as he fights with his true self through
out the show bringing great comedy moments throughout, all delivered with
impeccable timing from Ashfield. The whole cast delivers on the acting front,
from the over exaggerated Elders to the fed up Ugandans.
Music & Songs
You
will go home singing the songs which is a testament to the clever scoring and
brilliantly written lyrics. You’ll need to catch yourself before you enter into
a full on rendition of ‘Hasa Diga Eebowi’ as this is easily the catchiest – and
most offensive – song in the whole show. I’ve heard stories of audience members
walking out at this point but for those of us who aren’t as easily offended it
is a work of genius. I found with this show since I first saw it that the score
nods to other musicals with some of the arrangements. The finale definitely
echoes ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’ from Hairspray.
Choreography
The
choreography is not only cleverly done, but is highly comedic which is in
keeping with the rest of the show. The number I always look forward to is ‘Turn
It Off’ with its incredible tap choreography and mid-song quick change.
Direction
The
show’s success is reflective of the strong direction it has had. All the
actors, from the leads to the ensemble, work well together and clearly work off
each other’s reactions. The show felt fresh which is probably partly due to
some new cast members but because the director has clearly encourage a certain
amount of ‘play’ for the actors to change it up.
Set/Lighting
The
set changes several times throughout the show. Use of backdrops creates short
scenes such as the mission centre. Larger and longer scenes use of wooden sets
depicting the Ugandan homes (I was fortunate enough to go on an onstage tour
after this show to see the sets up close and they regularly have to sand the
wood down to prevent splinters to the actors). The lighting cleverly reflects
the hot climate of Uganda
Costumes
The
costumes have two sides. The Mormons are very clean and precise in their white
shirts and black trousers whilst the Ugandan characters are adorned in bright
colours and prints. There are also a
variety of other costumes featured in scenes such as ‘Spooky Mormon Hell Dream’
which are cleverly used to clearly show that we have moved away from the normal
setting of this show.
Stand Out Performances
Brian
Sears as Elder Cunningham – I have been extremely lucky to have seen Brian
every time I’ve seen The Book Of Mormon and every time I’ve seen him he seems
to give something new. He is a joy to watch and you genuinely believe his
character and that every time he is experience the events of the show for the
first time.
Stephen
Ashfield as Elder McKinley – he won an Olivier award for this role and its
always clear to see why. He plays the closeted Elder McKinley effortlessly and
delivers some of the funniest moments of the show.
Show to Show Comparisons
I
recently compared Something Rotten and Hand To God to this show with the
comparisons being to the impressively choreographed routines and the
unapologetic offensive humour. I stand by these comparisons though The Book Of
Mormon definitely set the bar for this before these shows came along. I saw the
2015/16 cast of the show who became firm favourites of mine. I do miss Chris
Jarman’s General as his height gave him real presence but other than this
personal preference I cannot find any faults.
Would I Recommend?
If
you’re not easily offended then absolutely
Overall Verdict (Out of 5 Stars):
5 Stars
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