New Wimbledon Theatre
Date: 17 May (Friday), 8:30pm
Seats: Dress Circle Row G 7-8
(Seen with Jess!)
Notes: When TodayTix had a £15 sale on, I had a look through tickets and was reminded that this show was coming to Wimbledon on tour. For £15, why not? This musical is using the songs from the Green Day album American Idiot which was an album I was obsessed with at one point in my teenage years. So this was a great way to spend a Friday night!
The music of this show is all the music from the Green Day album American Idiot. While I always thought it was more of a concept album, this musical has lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong (lead singer of Green Day), and he also co-wrote the book so it is very closely linked. In fact, there are also b-sides from that album and a few songs from their other album 21st century breakdown.
This did lead to issues with the plot though - it was never very clear what the characters were doing and where their arcs were headed. In fact, I got the whole way through the show without even realising what the names of the characters were (St Jimmy was obvious, but it took other characters within the show referring to others by name for me to work it out), especially for those characters who aren't named after songs (Whatsername, Extraordinary Girl).
The cast was pretty great for this. They all had a fantastic energy which allowed them to really have the energy required for the umping around and head banging. The main trio - Tom Milner (Johnny), Joshua Dowen (Tunny), and Samuel Pope (Will) - all had their respective strengths and were all perfectly cast given their storylines. I think my favourite character was St Jimmy (Luke Friend), as he was so full of life and even a rebel when compared to the main three. I also really liked both the lead females, as played by Sam Lavery (Whatsername) and Alexandra Robinson (Libby) as they were very engaged and emotional (particularly Libby).
This did lead to issues with the plot though - it was never very clear what the characters were doing and where their arcs were headed. In fact, I got the whole way through the show without even realising what the names of the characters were (St Jimmy was obvious, but it took other characters within the show referring to others by name for me to work it out), especially for those characters who aren't named after songs (Whatsername, Extraordinary Girl).
The cast was pretty great for this. They all had a fantastic energy which allowed them to really have the energy required for the umping around and head banging. The main trio - Tom Milner (Johnny), Joshua Dowen (Tunny), and Samuel Pope (Will) - all had their respective strengths and were all perfectly cast given their storylines. I think my favourite character was St Jimmy (Luke Friend), as he was so full of life and even a rebel when compared to the main three. I also really liked both the lead females, as played by Sam Lavery (Whatsername) and Alexandra Robinson (Libby) as they were very engaged and emotional (particularly Libby).
The staging of this production was interesting in that it didn't change for the whole show, but a few set pieces would come in and out during the show. There was a bit more suspension of disbelief than most other shows. There was a smaller part of set which was up above the main stage, which allowed for two stories to be taking place simultaneously. The upper floor was half this set, and half the band, which left when they weren't playing, but were on stage for a lot of the show. And honestly, I think the band was the best part of this show.
Unfortunately, for some audience members they clearly didn't pay attention when booking - I spoke briefly with a lady in the bathroom queue who had booked thinking this was a concert by the actual Green Day. I don't know why you would think that Green Day would play the New Wimbledon (sorry Wimbledon), but they did seem both confused and disappointed. And I think quite a few people were disappointed, because there were definitely more empty seats after the interval.
And I think I might agree - it definitely wasn't great, but given we only paid 15 pounds and the New Wimbledon is such a lovely theatre, I definitely don't regret it. Glad to have had it as a theatre experience, as always.
And I think I might agree - it definitely wasn't great, but given we only paid 15 pounds and the New Wimbledon is such a lovely theatre, I definitely don't regret it. Glad to have had it as a theatre experience, as always.
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