Back to the Future the Musical - Opera House MCR / Adelphi

According to Amazon, the book has been put back again. This time till 24/11.

Between 22:20 - 22:25 on all the times I’ve been

It seemed endless when I saw it. Twizzling a car around on a stick to a selection of the most unmemorable tunes I’ve heard, in the most uncomfortable seat ever, was a bit of a slog.

It was just on, in the same room as me y’know?

Has there been any changes since its launch in Aug/Sept? I'm thinking of seeing it again but was wondering if they've reworked anything with all the criticisms

Saw this for the second time last night - it really is an incredible production in terms of creativity and staging.

Some of the songs are forgettable / unnecessary, but there are a few that are growing on me.

Excellent performances from all, but it is the immersive feeling in the stalls, and the effects / sets / projections etc that really blow me away (even second time round).

Cast change is 15th August, does anyone know any confirmed leavers? I just know a couple of ensemble so far.

Well, I quite liked it. Didn't love it, but it was my best night out at the theatre for a while. Todaytix rush giving us £25 plum seats in the middle of the dress circle makes a mockery of paying full price to see a poor "Oklahoma" or an atrocious "Legally Blonde".

Full cast as far as I am aware; Roger Bart was terrific.

The songs are hugely forgettable. In fact, I don't remember any of them. Would this work better as a "play with songs"? The fact it won "Best Musical" is a pretty damning indictment of how poor the new shows have been.

But it does everything else right.

The sets, effects, design (lighting, costume and sound) and performances are all absolutely top notch.

Would I see it again? Probably not. It did nothing for me in content. As a one off experience it was wonderful and very tight.

3*

I've seen it a couple of times recently. Production is slick, audience usually at least 3/4 full. Think there's some discounting going on though as it has been on TKTS a few times offering McFly zone for £60.

Saw this for the 2nd time a few weeks ago. Should state, the cast are amazing. When I first saw this last year, I wasn't a fan - other than 'It Works', it's all a bit nothingy - genuinely struggle to remember any songs leaving the theatre. The special effects are amazing. The staging is amazing... it just lacks in terms of songs and pacing.

Anyway, saw it again because my mum really wanted to see it and it was a birthday present. We had the u/s Marty and he was great... Bart is wonderful, though. I am almost tempted to book to see it when he's off because I can't imagine anyone else pulling Doc off?!?!

Agree with all of this. The staging, choreo, performances, effects stunning. Can’t remember one song. The audience gasped in all the right places though and what a perfect show to take a new theatregoer to, especially a child. The wow factor would definitely make an impression.

I love this show and personally think there is a bit of snobbery creeping in about the music - having seen it a few times and listening to the soundtrack on Spotify it is really good and grows on you - you have 80s and 50's influences with lots of hooks plus the arrangements and orchestrations of some of the songs are brilliant - "Wherever we're going" and the "Hello is anybody home?" sequence (in my opinion) show a team at the top of their game in terms of arrangement/orchestration - some really nice stuff going on whilst (and this is key) keeping everything in check for the overall 80s/50s soundscape of the piece - a lot harder than it seems. Plus you have Alan Silvestri's incredible score - the "Doc Returns/Finale" arrangement is just so good!

Sure some of the lyrics appear simple, but that usually suits the character - Marty is a 17 year old kid remember - AND they also suit the "straight ahead" story telling style of the film. I think a lot of the lyrics are clever with lots of little internal references to the film and future events - Doc's lyrics are more sophisticated than Marty's for example which again reflects the characters so well.

Overall this is what I think the team have got right - everything is appropriate and true to the source material and characters and that is what the audience have come for - Bob Gale has made sure everything has stayed faithful to the original film which is why it works so well.

For me it's a pure joy to see new audiences come to the theatre - so many people I've spoken to say it's their first west end show or they "don't do musicals" but it's the love of the film that has brought then here, often bringing their kids to the theatre for the first time. They all leave loving the show and who knows maybe they re-evaluate theatre in the process. The "exit banter" I overhear at this show is some of the strongest I remember. The cast are top notch and it's also a real family show with something for everyone - I hope it runs and runs and it well deserved the Best New Musical Olivier!