Review: Newsies at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
There’s something poetically perfect about a smash-hit musical about industrial action and workers’ rights landing in London right now. After a successful two-year Broadway run (2012-14) and a US national tour (2014-16), Disney’s Newsies had its much-anticipated London premiere last week.
(And yes, the irony of this particular property being owned by one of the world’s largest and most problematic corporations is not lost on me.)
Newsies, based on a true story, features a score by the incomparable Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein. With such a powerhouse creative team, I had a feeling that something very special was in store with this show. So I headed to the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley Park, a new theatre housed in the former home of Fountain Studios, to see what all the buzz was about.
What’s it about?
It’s 1899 and 17-year-old Jack Kelly is the informal leader of a group of homeless, orphaned boys who support themselves by selling newspapers on New York’s streets. Jack longs to leave New York and start a new life in Santa Fe.
Unhappy with the declining sales of his paper, the New York World, wealthy publisher Joseph Pulitzer (yes, that one) decides to increase the upfront cost of the papers to the “newsies.” When he learns about this the following morning, an outraged Jack decides to unionise the newsies and fight back with a strike.
Any content notes?
Newsies is a family-friendly show described by the producers as suitable for ages 5+. Though there’s nothing inappropriate in the content, I’m not sure a child that young would be able to follow the story.
The show does contain violence, mostly in the form of clashes between the striking newsies, the police, and the media moguls’ goons. It is stylised rather than graphic. There’s no sexual content and only the very mildest of bad language.
An ableist slur (the one beginning with c) is used against Crutchie, the disabled character, more than once. This character is never referred to by any other name, defining him first by his disability in a way I found quite uncomfortable.
Newsies: My Review
From the moment you step into the auditorium at the Troubadour Theatre, you feel transported back in time to turn-of-the-century New York City. Vast, open and industrial, every part of the space has been used to create an immersive experience, from the walkways around the sides to the imposing scaffolding structure that dominates the main space. And from the opening bars, the company makes full use of this impressive set. Cast members appear from every angle (occasionally even flying right over our heads!) and there’s so much going on that sometimes, you won’t know where to look.
I saw the show while it was still in previews, and there were some notable issues with the sound balance. However, I’m reliably informed that those have now been ironed out.
The Newsies cast is led by the wonderful Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (who you may remember as Emmett from this summer’s Legally Blonde) in the role of Jack. This role gives Ahomka-Lindsay many opportunities to show off his gorgeous singing voice - his “Santa Fe” at the closing of Act 1 is simply stunning - and he brings both charisma and sensitivity to Jack.
Bronté Barbé and Michael Ahomka-Lindsay in Newsies. Photo: Seamus Ryan
The leading female role of Katherine Plumber, a plucky young news reporter who wishes to be taken more seriously for her work, is played endearingly by Bronté Barbé. Her “Watch What Happens” is one of the most charming and memorable moments in the show. From a writing perspective, I’m not at all sure Newsies needed the inevitable romantic subplot. This storyline does give us the touching duet “Something To Believe In”, which Ahomka-Lindsay and Barbé perform beautifully, but overall the romance is the weakest part of the plot.
Other standout lead performances include Matthew Duckett as Crutchie (I challenge you not to shed a few tears at his “Letter From The Refuge”) and Moya Angela as Medda Larkin.
Each of the leads is excellent, but Newsies is a show that needs a brilliant ensemble to truly shine. And in that regard, Casting Director Lucy Casson has delivered in spades. The large cast is made up of 36 of the elusive triple-threat performers, whose energy never lets up for the entire two and a half hours.
The leads of Newsies. Photo: Seamus Ryan
The dancing is really the centerpiece of this production, and Matt Cole’s chereography is spectacular, marrying ballet with acrobatics to create routines that will make you gasp aloud in awe. There’s gravity-defying leaps, dizzying backflips, intricate tap choreography, and even a few breakdancing moves.
The dancers themselves are tremendously skilled and seamlessly tight as a unit, moving together as one with a unity that emphasises the themes of solidarity and togetherness. This is some of the best, if not the best, choreography and dancing I have ever seen on a London stage.
Some of the ensemble of Newsies. Photo: Seamus Ryan
Newsies is, ultimately, feel-good and motivational, with stirring lyrics about seizing the day and fighting back against oppression. Given everything that’s happening in the UK right now, its continued relevance is pertinent and moving. The realities of class struggle can’t be fully explored in a two hour musical, so things are maybe oversimplified and lacking depth in places. But you’ll still leave humming the tunes and possibly wanting to wave a banner and fight for a cause.
Where to get tickets
Newsies is running at the Troubadour Theatre, Wembley Park, until 16 April 2023 and you can buy tickets from the official website.