Review: Something Rotten Opera House, Manchester
There is one musical that Isaac has been desperate to see ever since he discovered it – Something Rotten!!
I know several of the songs, thanks to them being played (and performed) regularly in my car and as part of his A-Level Performing Arts course, but until I saw it last night, I never really understood the story.
Set in the bustling streets of 1590s London, Something Rotten! follows the hilarious misadventures of brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom. The duo runs a struggling theatre troupe and find themselves constantly overshadowed by the “rock star” of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare. While Nigel is a sensitive, gifted poet, Nick is consumed by a bitter rivalry with the Bard and is desperate for a hit that will finally put the Bottom name on the map.
In a moment of desperation, Nick uses the family’s meager savings to consult a local soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus (the less-famous nephew of the legendary seer). Nick asks what the “next big thing” in theater will be, and Nostradamus provides a blurry, slight misconstrued vision of the future: musicals. Though Nick is baffled by the idea of characters randomly bursting into song and dance, he decides to embrace the absurdity to beat Shakespeare at his own game.
This has to be our new favourite musical!!!!
Don’t let the Shakespear reference put you off – this musical is fast paced, colourful, quick-witted and laugh-out-loud funny. In fact, I think we were all grinning from ear to ear from beginning to end.
We travelled all the way from Bournemouth to Manchester to see the show and the only disappointment is that they had run out of programmes!!
Jason Manford was spectacular as the hapless Nick Bottom, Richard Fleeshman was equally as brilliant as the debonair superstar, Will Shakespeare, Cassius Hackforth was perfect as the nerdy but brilliant poet, Nigel Bottom and Marisha Wallace was bursting with personality as Bea, Nick’s loyal and hard working wife. It was, however, Corey English who stole the show for us as the slightly bonkers soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus.
In fact, it’s hard to single anyone out as the whole cast was spectacular with brilliant songs, stand-out dance routines, brilliant costumes and a set to rival any west-end show.
I don’t want to spoil the story, but the show carries you through on a whirlwind of all things that are brilliant about theatre, alongside a brilliantly bonkers story. Expect nods to all your favourite musicals, whether it be lines, costumes, tunes or all three.
Something Rotten is the first musical I have seen where there the audience reacts throughout the show and it was positively encouraged by the cast and I finally understand why Nick’s musical was called Omelette!! The egg costumes and cooking references were beyond brilliant!!
We were lucky enough to see the very last show in its current run, but there are very strong rumours it will be heading to London very soon.
Go and see it, you won’t be disappointed!!
