REVIEW: WHITE ROSE The Musical at Marylebone Theatre 27 February – 13 April 2025

‘uplifting energy for this true story of heroism’ ★★★ ½ 

White Rose premiered off Broadway earlier this year and now receives its Uk premiere. Based on true events, it brings the heroic story of White Rose, a group of Munich university students during WW2 who formed an underground movement to stand up to Hitler, by distributing anti-Nazi leaflets. For those of us who are coming to this story for the first time, it is heart rending and hugely impressive. 

The story revolves around members of the White Rose, brother and sister Sophie and Hans Scholl, Willi Graf, Christoph Probst and university lecturer Kurt Huber. Showing the flip side of the coin, Frederick Fischer, a childhood friend of Hans Scholl, joins the Nazi Kripo after being expelled from university for writing anti-Hitler sentiments in one of his essays.

The musical makes female member of the White Rose Sophie Scholl the central character, bringing a story of female heroism to the stage. Rarely seen.  Collette Guitart in her role as Sophie, has great presence, she’s eloquent and determined. However, the interruption for song does the beg the question of whether the story would be more engaging if it was purely drama. Having said that, the hummable music helps to give an uplifting energy to the work which feels appropriate to the achievement of these young people, martyrs of truth and conscience.

One of the standout musical numbers with members of the cast harmonising, particularly shows off the wonderful voices of Ollie Wray as Frederick Fischer and Tobias Turley as Hans Scholl. Also of note, some really engaging acting from the ensemble cast, particularly recent graduate, Owen Arkrow as Willi Graf.

The word ‘duty’ figures large in the musical, perhaps derived from philosopher Emanual Kant’s duty ethics, wherein the outcome is not the important point. It is doing the right thing. As the story unfolds we are reminded that this wonderful ethic was twisted by Hitler’s ideology. As youngsters some of the White Rose members were in the Hitler Youth but later having witnessed what was happening to the Jewish people in Poland, they condemned the persecution of Jews. Also seeing what was happening on the front line in Russia, with Germans being sacrificed to to the war, they spoke out against National Socialism, circulating thousands of leaflets urging Germans to resist Hitler. The musical ends in tragedy when Hans and his sister Sophie are finally caught, distributing anti-Nazi leaflets at Munich University.

Finally, a mention of the set which clearly shows a war torn Munich and also provides a platform which is used for Nazis to stand over the students at various times during the musical.  It is a very astute reminder of the ever-present threat to members of the White Rose.  The musical is a wonderful tribute to idealistic youth and bravery, with its surprisingly upbeat tone. 

PHOTOS BY MARC BRENNER

WHITE ROSE at Marylebone Theatre 27 February – 13 April 2025

Book and lyrics by Brian Belding, Music by Natalie Brice, direction by Will Nunziata

BOX OFFICE https://www.marylebonetheatre.com/productions/white-rose-the-musical

cast:

Collette Guitart, Tobias Turley, Owen Arkrow, Danny Colligan, Charley Robbie, Millie Robins, Nathan Shaw, Thomas Sutcliffe, Danny Whelan, Mark Willshire, Ollie Wray.

Creative team:

Director Will Nunziata

Musical Director Caitlin Morgan

Assistant Musical Director Livs Needham

Orchestrator Paul Schofield

Creator, Book Writer and Lyricist Brian Belding

Composer Natalie Brice

Lighting Designer Alex Musgrave

Sound Designer Dan Samson

Set Designer Justin Williams

Costume Designer/Supervisor TBC

Casting Director Harry Blumenau CDG

Produced by Produced by Sam Houlihan, Sam Biondolillo, and JLWN Productions

Executive Producer/General Management Thomas Hopkins Productions