Theatre Review: Amelie @ New Wimbledon Theatre

Amelie The Musical @ New Wimbledon Theatre, London

Directed by: Michael Fentiman

Book by: Craig Lucas

 Lyrics by: Nathan Tysen & Daniel Messe

Staring: Audrey Brisson and Danny Mac 

Review: The absolute JOY of this production! I need it to return to London to see it again...and again....and again.

Based on the 2001 French Film of the same name starting Audrey Tautou, Amelie the Musical recounts the life of the shy but curious waitress Amelie Poulain as she navigates day to day life in the Parisian district of Montmartre trying to bring happiness to those around her. I remember watching Amelie for the first time in a French GCSE class and was instantly drawn to the quirky nature of the movie and the weird and wonderful journey the film took.. When I heard it was being turned into a musical (and it seems like anything is capable of being turned into one these days) I was instantly curious and even more excited when I saw the show was touring the UK. How would they transform it and keep true to the film? High expectations and everyone of them was filled!

As you walk into the auditorium you're instantly transported to Paris with Madeleine Girling and Rocket Scenery's beautiful set that throughout the show moves around and is transformed into various settings in Amelie's life. It is simplistic yet powerful with some fantastic lighting work from Elliot Griggs that create some really special moments. You remember the photo-booth from the film...well this is realised in such a beautiful way....and not to spoil anything but the way Amelie enters her flat is pure genius.

One of the great strengths of this show was the ensemble cast of actor musicians. The music is beautiful and folky, and as you see them walking around the stage creating the music creates some amazing moments. Its adds this extra dimension to the play, really recreating the French vibes and instilling heart in the play. They know their craft well and flow between the numbers and their characters with each and crate and it makes each scene seem full and like a spectacle without having to be big or brash (unless where necessary). The songs speak to the randomness of the musical, non-traditional in their flow and form but they are light and funny brining in all kinds of issues that the cast face, but then also take you to more sombre and serious moments.  I need a UK cast recording immediately. Noting against the American recording but its very Americanised whereas what I heard on this stage had heart and really ties into the feelings of the film, which it should do.  

Audrey Brisson was the perfect Amelie. She was a great embodied of the character; the look was on point, the voice was on point, the singing beautiful and her characterisations were just so Amelie like I felt I could be in the film. Amelie is a product of her upbringing with a quiet quirky nature that doesn't necessarily scream out as a protagonist for a musical, but she has this insatiable curiosity for life and the world around her and this brings the focus around her in a really lovely way that incorporates the whole cast but actually still makes it very much about her.  And there was a little puppet Amelie! I love puppets this is no secret, so when they brought out the puppetry I was sold even more. It made perfect sense, really help build the narrative through this story telling aspect and it was very well worked in. AND THE GNOME. I really want to learn theatrical puppetry who can help!  

Danny Mac blew me away. I was obviously aware of him and had seen him on Strictly, but had never really seen him in a show and he brought this beautiful sensitive element to Nino that was the perfect balance for Amelie and you were really rooting for them on this journey. I'd forgotten a lot about the Nino story line until the photo booth and I instantly remover how much what Nino did fascinated me.  

That was one of the great things about the show. I haven't seen the film in years but it brought you right back into it so easily and let you remember and explore it over again but through their representation. It wasn't a direct copy it can an exploration of the film through theatrical eyes and it really worked.  

This show ticked every box for me and I really wish it would transfer to the West End because I need to see it again and I need more people to see it, it has such a strong potential!