JADAR

★★★★☆

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical is a musical revue that satirises various elements of musical theatre – from the actors to the audiences. It’s basically the British answer to Forbidden Broadway. Following several London and Edinburgh Fringe seasons, and even international productions, it is now on tour around the UK – beginning with Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre.

Each song tackles a different aspect of musical theatre. There’s a big opening number, in which the performers welcome us to the show, tell us what to expect, and parody opening numbers. There are many nods to various musicals – including iconic opening songs, such as ‘Willkommen’ from Cabaret and ‘Hello’ from The Book of Mormon – but also less obvious ones that do not have salutations for titles!

The performers joke that no other number will top this one – and they are absolutely right; there are some other fantastic numbers but the opening sets the bar very high (perhaps intentionally).

Alexander S Bermange, who plays the piano onstage, has packed 16 superb songs into a 70-minute show, each with its own theme. Bermange deserves great credit for managing to think of 16 different topics and tackling them all so well – from auditions to understudying.

Not even the audience leave unscathed – there is a track about us, which the cast sing at us. You can’t help but feel called out – even if you’re one of the well-behaved ones!

The lyrics are witty and sassy, with memorable stingers such as the title song’s acknowledgement that if one’s life were like a musical, it could mean getting crucified… “or sung at by Russell Crowe!”

It’s clear that Bermange knows a lot about musical theatre – and even clearer that he loves it. His knowledge and passion are both abundant.

Most the songs reference famous musical theatre songs, in lyric and/or in melody, but none do it as much nor as well as the opening number. Doing it too much could become tiresome – it risks losing its sparkle – but there is definitely the opportunity to add in a few more sprinklings of it (and perhaps even a more diverse selection of musicals).

The sheer number of songs, and the rapidity in which they are performed, sadly renders most songs unmemorable – because it is impossible to remember them. The only song I can really remember is ‘The Diva’s in the House’ – and I only remember that lyric.

Whilst the show is very much a revue, there is a loose arc. We are taken on a journey – following the rise of a generic performer from audition through understudying to stardom. It could, however, all be tied together more neatly; it could benefit from tighter structure and more of a focused direction. The show has a lot to say but it could say it more clearly. It wonderfully satirises musical theatre but I do wonder what, exactly, it wants to achieve. I have some ideas but the show could convey its message better.

The choreography is fun but a bit obvious; the clever songs deserve more ambitious, interesting and inspired movement and dance – though I appreciate that the direction and choreography are probably intentionally obvious, what with the show being a satire.

The show is perfectly cast: Luke Harley, Sev Keoshgerian, Jessi O’Donnell, and Julie Yammanee are all incredible comedic performers, with mind-blowing vocals.

Having seen Yammanee onstage before – including Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Hope Mill Theatre – I know that she can sang, but her songs in this musical, as well-written as they are, do not allow her to show off as much as O’Donnell’s do (and, oh, does O’Donnell show off – she is perfectly cast as “the diva”!). The numbers written for Keoshgerian’s character are not as strong as the others but Keoshgerian is such an engaging, passionate performer that he makes them feel just as important. Right from the get-go, Harvey gets the most laughs – which is impressive because this show produces a lot of laughs!

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical is a superb satire of musical theatre that will leave even the most devoted musical theatre fan glad that their life is not like a musical.

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical tours the UK until August 31, with a London run at King’s Head Theatre from July 9 to 21, and an Edinburgh Fringe run at Gilded Balloon from August 1 to 25.

Photo: Geraint Lewis