13 Going on 30 West End Reviews

As always, the question is: did this need to be adapted? While Fickman and co have done a decent job of transforming the film into a musical that stands alone, it’s hard not to wish this talent could be turned to new stories. But maybe that’s jus...

As always, the question is: did this need to be adapted? While Fickman and co have done a decent job of transforming the film into a musical that stands alone, it’s hard not to wish this talent could be turned to new stories. But maybe that’s just thirtysomething me talking, while my inner 13-year-old bops to the music.

Does everything really have to be a musical? This adaptation of 13 Going on 30, the beloved 2004 romantic comedy starring Jennifer Garner, joins the hordes of all-singing, all-dancing screen-to-stage conversions clogging up theatre listings. And yes,...

Does everything really have to be a musical? This adaptation of 13 Going on 30, the beloved 2004 romantic comedy starring Jennifer Garner, joins the hordes of all-singing, all-dancing screen-to-stage conversions clogging up theatre listings. And yes, if you’re a mega fan of the film, written by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, you’ll probably have a perfectly nice time in the audience for this musical, for which they have written the book. However, if you’re in the market for something that deepens or reinvents its source material, prepare to leave cold.

What’s that sound? Is it a new musical opening – or is it the bottom of the barrel being scraped? This is the latest in a never-ending line of movies getting the nostalgic musical treatment; just this week you could also have watched 50 First Dat...

What’s that sound? Is it a new musical opening – or is it the bottom of the barrel being scraped? This is the latest in a never-ending line of movies getting the nostalgic musical treatment; just this week you could also have watched 50 First Dates the Musical, based on another 2004 movie, while 13 Going on 30 shares its DNA with other recent adaptations, such as The Devil Wears Prada (fashion mags!) and Mean Girls (mean girls!). Made by Americans with a lot of Disney credits to their name, this is a slickly efficient production with a giant, well-drilled, super-upbeat cast. Andy Fickman’s production is utterly inoffensive – but it’s also hard to escape the feeling that this is really just intellectual property slop: formulaic and familiar.

How you view the show will, I suspect, depend on your relationship with the original film. Devotees will love it, proclaim it the best musical of the year and possibly go and watch it several times. It’s not the next great musical but it’s got...

How you view the show will, I suspect, depend on your relationship with the original film. Devotees will love it, proclaim it the best musical of the year and possibly go and watch it several times. It’s not the next great musical but it’s got a real charm to it which won me over. Yes it’s sugary and a bit predictable but you can’t fault the message nor the performances and it’s a genuinely entertaining night out.

Judging by the laughter, cheers, and standing ovation, this is a show that truly resonates. Whether you grew up loving the original movie or are discovering Jenna Rink’s story for the first time, 13 Going on 30: The Musical promises an evening of n...

Judging by the laughter, cheers, and standing ovation, this is a show that truly resonates. Whether you grew up loving the original movie or are discovering Jenna Rink’s story for the first time, 13 Going on 30: The Musical promises an evening of nostalgia, fun, and pure joy.