REVIEW: WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME – The Musical at Lion and Unicorn Theatre 23 – 27 July 2024

‘ … has the potential to evolve into a more impactful show’ ★★☆☆☆

Attending "What’s Wrong With Me?-The Musical," I was hopeful for an engaging and humorous exploration of modern life's quirks, but the experience left me wanting more substance and coherence.

The musical's premise has potential. The idea of a retreat where characters explore their first world problems under the guidance of the enigmatic Osmond Ainsworth is intriguing. Rosalyn Miller’s composition delivered a few catchy tunes, particularly “Blame It On Your Mum & Dad” and the cheeky “Teach Me How to Downward Dog.” These songs provided brief moments of enjoyment and showcased Miller’s knack for crafting memorable melodies.

The cast gave earnest performances, with Geddy Stringer as Osmond and Cata Sanchez-Marti as Jasmine standing out. Their commitment to their roles was evident, and they injected energy into their performances despite the material’s limitations.

However, the musical faltered significantly in its execution. The script, penned by Jess Coppen-Gardner, felt superficial and often resorted to clichés. The characters' journeys to enlightenment were predictable and lacked the depth needed to make their transformations compelling. The humor, which was intended to be a cornerstone of the show, often fell flat, relying too heavily on tired stereotypes and innuendos that felt forced rather than genuinely funny.

Direction by Jess Coppen-Gardner also seemed to lack a cohesive vision, leading to a disjointed narrative that struggled to maintain engagement throughout the performance. The pacing was uneven, with certain scenes dragging while others felt rushed.

The production elements were a mixed bag. While Toby Silver’s lighting design added some visual interest, the overall staging felt minimalistic to the point of being underwhelming.

In conclusion, “What’s Wrong With Me?-The Musical” has the foundation of an interesting concept but ultimately falls short in delivering a memorable theatrical experience. With more nuanced writing and a tighter direction, it has the potential to evolve into a more impactful show. As it stands, it’s a production with moments of charm but not enough to fully recommend.

Box Office https://www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com/whats-on

Reviewed by Emma Zadow