Since its Broadway debut in 2011 and subsequent West End transfer in 2013, The Book of Mormon has cemented its status as one of the most successful musicals of the last 20 years. Boasting an impressive nine Tony Awards and four Oliviers, the show has now embarked on its latest UK tour, kicking off in Manchester!
The story follows two young Mormon missionaries on their quest to spread the word of Mormonism in Uganda. If you think the premise sounds a little bonkers, you’re absolutely right – and you’ll know exactly why by the time the infamous ‘Spooky Mormon Hell Dream’ rolls around! However the show has depth and meaning beneath this chaos.
Sam Glen delivers a standout performance as the excitable Elder Cunningham, having the audience in the palm of his hand with perfect comedic timing. From the moment we meet him in opening number ‘Hello’, we are endeared to him completely.
The music that follows is absolutely superb, it’s no wonder it snagged the title of Best New Musical on both sides of the Atlantic. The score is catchy and is bursting with humour, whilst also being varied enough to keep it interesting. ‘Turn It Off’ is a hilarious highlight, with the missionaries explaining how they quite literally turn off emotions that don't align with what they're taught to believe, like a light switch!
If you think it’s all going to be chaotic fun and not to expect slower numbers with powerhouse vocals to match, you would be wrong. Nyah Nish brings the house down with her stunning performance of ‘Sal Tlay Ka Siti’ as Nabulungi. This adds a much needed change of pace and depth, allowing the audience to sit back for a moment. Keeping things varied, the act one closer ‘Man Up’ playfully tackles outdated gender stereotypes, allowing the audience to reflect on male mental health without necessarily realising it straight away.
As you’d expect from the creators of South Park, the humour is unapologetic and pushes boundaries, but at its core that is what humour is all about. Through humour, it that holds a mirror up to society and asks the question; does something need to be factually true to be beneficial? With religion being based more on faith than science/evidence, it perhaps isn’t the anti-religious show it at first seems. Rather it cleverly presents the idea that as long as people benefit positively, perhaps we shouldn’t question other peoples beliefs and cultures at all. You will be hard pushed to find another show that delivers this message with so many belly laughs along the way.
The Book of Mormon is on at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 05/10/2024.
Note: My ticket was gifted. Irrespective of whether a show is gifted or bought, I always ensure that my reviews are fair and based on my honest opinion alone.