Pop Off Michelangelo, which isndirected and designed by Joe McNeice and created by Dylan MarcAurele, is a fun new musical that fictionalises the rivalry between the Renaissance artists Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. Pop Off Michelangelo is a hysterically camp, unserious and queer catchy new musical that... well, absolutely pops off!
The musical follows Michelangelo and Leonardo as childhood best friends and adoptive brothers, to enrolling in art school together, and the slow but significant events that tear their friendship apart in a desperate bid to follow their dreams and find fame. In a more serious underlying theme (although portrayed as fabulously frivolous), the threat of their queerness being discovered and executed hangs over them, motivating their art.
MarcAurele and McNeice have struck gold (and glitter) with this show. This musical isn't for everyone, but if you are in the lucky demographic, this may be the greatest musical that you'll ever see. Bursting with pop culture moments that range from well known to incredibly niche, and filled with delightful queer based comedy and endless camp, this musical knows exactly what it is, and provides a safe space to celebrate and to be celebrated in. With a longer show and an extended run, this show will doubtlessly develop a cult following.
With a running time of 75-minutes, it is impressive, how concise the musical is. Despite primarily focusing on the friendship turn rivalry between Leonardo and Michelangelo, the show manages to include several other significant moments in both their lives - the corruption within institutions and government, a heinous and unwelcoming society, other important Renaissance artists and moments, other characters and their relationships and more.
The show, having started as a Fringe show this year, welcomes back most of the original cast, with Lucy Carter and Maiya Quansah-Breed joining the team for this short London run. The cast have more than understood the show's assignment and remain committed to the bit with a hilarious sincerity, and being steadfast in their portrayal of these caricature-like characters.
Paul Toulson as the Pope is a vaping, rapid, inherently blithering individual without whom the show would not quite be as outrageously funny as it is. Toulson's mere presence on stage alerts the audience that they're in for a large helping of bombastic nonsense, and this carries through his other roles in the musical. Carter as Savanarola is a prime example of how ridiculously funny this musical is, with her evil laughter and abrupt pauses. Carter is beyond over the top in her performance, displaying an unhinged level of insanity that many actors can only aspire to, and helps creates a clever paradox between the threat and the problem.
Quansah-Breed, despite her very limited stage time, makes a strong impression with her vocal talent. "Pick Me Girl" is one of the show's strongest musical moments. Rightfully credited as merely "Mother", Quansah-Breed is here to serve and slay. Conn McGirr as Salai is perhaps the most earnest performance, and brings an innocent and charismatic performance as the kind hearted friend of Leonardo and Michelangelo. Whilst the character lives and thrives in this chaotic and hilarious world, Salai stands slightly apart, yet this works in presenting a stronger overarching message through this musical. McGirr is another exceptional vocal performer that is no doubt headed for a long and successful career. The duet "I'm Drawn to You" between McGirr and MacColl is hands down one of the wittiest and most brilliant new musical theatre songs to have been penned.
MacColl and Max Eade make their triumphant return as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo, and remind one why they are such a winning duo. Wonderfully matched, with believable friendship and chemistry, their friendship is captivating to watch. MacColl handles the many toils and troubles of Leonardo Da Vinci with cheeky grace, ensuring that the audience are always engaging with the character and leaves them wanting more. MacColl gives a gorgeously flamboyant portrayal, lined with queerness and love. Eade, in his professional debut, is the show's standout performer, with a stage presence that can not and will not be ignored. Eade takes the tortured essence of Michelangelo and turns him into a lovable yet deeply flawed individual, with an inherent talent for subtle comedy and a heartfelt portrayal. Eade's solo "When You Met Your Son Jesus", although filled with comedic lyrics that has the audience gasping with laughter, demonstrates his vocal ability. Another young performer with a bright career ahead of him and one to watch.
The set compromises of movable period pillars, that are handy to store smaller props in. The pillars are moved by cast members between scenes, and do well to remind the audiences that the musical is in fact still set in the Renaissance period. Each musical number has been choreographed well, with a few amusing references to well known pop culture moments (a little shoutout for including the iconic dance step from Disney's Camp Rock) by Sundeep Saini. The choreography during the number "Networking Event" is particularly striking.
Pop Off Michelangelo chooses to take control and reclaim history, through this original and new musical. Oozing with joy and infectious energy, the musical garnered loud laughter after nearly every scene, occasional cheers after dialogues, and raptous applause after each song.
Pop off Michelangelo is currently playing at The Other Palace for one more performance this evening (5th November) - for tickets and more information, you can follow the link here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Steve Ullathorne
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