The Book of Mormon (UK Tour 2024)
Book, Music and Lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
Directed by Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker
Edinburgh Playhouse | 16 October 2024 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Anytime I see The Book of Mormon one word comes to mind: Outrageous. The hilarious Tony Award-Winning musical pushes the boundaries of comedy further than any other stage work I've seen. But from the creators of South Park and Team America: World Police, I wouldn't expect anything less. Since making its debut on Broadway in 2011 The Book of Mormon has won over 30 international awards and has smashed box office records in New York, London, Australia and cities across the U.S. It's wicked blend of catchy showtunes, entertaining storylines and scandalous humour are a recipe for musical theatre magic.
So what is 'The Book of Mormon' about?
When two young mormons from The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints in Utah are sent on a mission to Africa, their eyes are opened to genuine suffering, and they realise that converting the locals to the Mormon church may not be as easy as they thought. The villagers are dealing with AIDS, poverty and a tyrannical General who wants to mutilate young ladies. What could two young white boys have to say that could possibly interest them?!
I've seen The Book of Mormon on Broadway as well as on previous UK Tours. I'm pleased to report that this new UK Tour production for 2024 is just as excellent as any I've seen before. The staging is flawless, with transitions between locations quick and silent. The lighting seems to have been amplified with plenty of brilliant, almost stadium-esque lights making the show pop. The costumes are more beautiful and detailed than ever before. And the sound levels are impeccable. With the Edinburgh Playhouse being the largest all-seater theatre in the UK, that is some achievement. The music from the fabulous live orchestra fills the auditorium but yet every word from stage can be clearly heard. And you don't want to miss a word of this hilarious dialogue.
For me the highlight of The Book of Mormon is Casey Nicholaw's playful choreography. The unapologetically over the top, stagey dance routines never fail to make me beam with joy. But even the non-dance-led scenes in this show are choreographed with the utmost precision. The considerable cast of Mormons and villagers all move around the vast stage with pinpoint accuracy to ensure that every last drop of hilarity is squeezed out of every situation. And every movement, every punchline hits with maximum impact. The Book of Mormon is undoubtedly one of the most polished, gleeful, well directed and choreographed shows you can see in the UK today. It's a comedy yes, but it has the production values of the finest Broadway musical spectaculars.
The cast for this production are superb. Adam Bailey's Elder Price shines with iconic song 'I Believe' but his comic timing and uptight Kevin-ness are perfect from the start. Nyah Nish is a stunning Nabulungi with her exquisite voice one of the strongest in the show. Tom Bales' Elder McKinley is delightfully cheery and neurotic, and Rodney Earl Clarke makes for a sublime General. But Sam Glen almost steals the show as Elder Cunningham with his immaculate physical comedy and kooky likeability. Be in no doubt though, The Book of Mormon works exactly because it's a mammoth ensemble effort. Every member of this large, talented cast contributes to make it the enduring success that it is.
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone collaborated with Robert Lopez on The Book of Mormon. Lopez co-created Broadway musical Avenue Q and co-wrote the songs for Disney’s Frozen and Coco. That's some musical legacy! He's also the first and only double ‘EGOT’ winner having won all four major entertainment awards at least twice - Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar® and Tony® Awards. Is it any surprise then that the score for The Book of Mormon is exceptional. There isn't a dud song in the entire show. From the opening number 'Hello' to the delightfully stagey 'Turn it off', to the epic 'Man Up' and 'I Believe', and every song in-between, every last musical number in The Book of Mormon lands in terms of tone and entertainment factor whilst managing to also perfectly progress the story. It's a masterclass in musical theatre scoring.
The Book of Mormon is that rare musical theatre unicorn that has everything you want from a piece of live entertainment. It's bold, scandalous and thoroughly entertaining, and it's presented to perfection here. Catch The Book of Mormon while it's in Edinburgh. It's a treat to have a show of such calibre tour to our regional stages.
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The Book of Mormon is at Edinburgh Playhouse from Tues 15 October to Sat 2 November 2024 - the only Scottish venue on this tour - and then it continues on tour across the UK. You can also catch The Mormons in their permanent home in London's West End. | Jump to tour listings & tickets here
📸 production photos: Paul Coltas
The Book of Mormon Edinburgh Tickets
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Age guidance: 14+ (No Under 5s). Contains strong language, adult themes, strobe lighting and bangs. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. *Some people may find this show offensive.
The Book of Mormon is at Edinburgh Playhouse from Tues 15 October to Sat 2 November 2024.
⚠️ There is a fabulous £15 offer for 'on-the-day' seats for every performance of The Book of Mormon in Edinburgh. Click here for more info.
UK Tour tickets: https://thebookofmormonmusical.com/
London West End tickets: https://thebookofmormonmusical.com/london/
Also on sale now at Edinburgh Playhouse
What's on Glasgow Theatre
➡️ Coming soon to Glasgow King's Theatre: 101 Dalmatians, Bat Out of Hell, Dear Evan Hansen and Tina!
➡️ Coming soon to The Theatre Royal, Glasgow: Only fools and Horses the musical, Disney's Aladdin, SIX, War Horse and Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake!
The Book of Mormon Edinburgh review, Book of Mormon UK Tour cast 2024, Edinburgh Playhouse tickets
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