★★★★★

I was not lucky enough to see this show in its first incarnation at the Old Vic in 2016 and so when a return was announced, and being a fan of the film, I jumped at the chance to book tickets.

For those who aren’t aware, this musical, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin (creator of Matilda) and book by Danny Rubin, is based on the 1993 film of the same name starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. It is 2nd February which is Groundhog Day. Weatherman Phil Connors is sent to the small town of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania where there is an annual ceremony featuring Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog who will predict whether there will be another six weeks of winter or whether spring is on its way. Thanks to a snow storm he is snowed in and has to stay for another night but when he wakes up the next morning, it is Groundhog Day. Again. And again. And again.

Firstly, what was I hoping for from this show? Of course I was hoping for some of my favourite moments from the film, and I was not disappointed. I suppose I would liken it to the first time I saw Back to the Future. If you are familiar with the film and I say ‘Phil? Phil Connors?’ and I then tell you that on stage it was exactly the same, then you are probably smiling.

Of course the film plays on repetition and this work well on stage. The set is cleverly designed by Rob Howell to include a few large pieces that can be brought on swiftly time after time. I loved the little touches to these like the cushion always being on the floor in front of his bed every morning, despite the fact that he moves it when he gets up.

There are some very clever devices used to allow the day to change between one day and the next to happen quickly, regardless of where the actors are on stage at the end of one day. Full marks to Paul Kieve for these illusions – there is still at least one where I’m not sure how it was done.

Andy Karl took on the role of Phil Connors, having played him in the original production at The Old Vic and also on Broadway. There is enough of the attitude that Bill Murray gave the role to be familiar to film fans, but enough of Andy Karl in there for him to make the role his own.

His unfortunate producer, Rita, is played by Tanisha Spring. I loved her interpretation of the role and ‘If I Had My Time Again’ was one of the highlights of the show for me.

There really wasn’t a weak link in the cast with the ensemble performers taking on many different roles – special mention to Eve Norris as Nancy and Andrew Langtree as Ned Ryerson.

Tim Minchin’s score is delightful. From the repetitive motifs of ‘Small Town USA’ to Ned’s heart rendering ‘Night Will Come’. This is possibly shows the genius of Tim Minchin that he can take these minor characters from the film – such as Ned and Nancy – and develop them and give them their moment.

You can’t get away from the original source material here. You know you are watching an adaptation of a film. But that’s no bad thing. What it does is build on the source material and open up that world of Punxsutawney a bit more and gets a bit more philosophical than the original does. Life teaches us lessons. Some we find easier to learn than others. And how we interact with those we meet along the way is of the upmost importance.

Would I see this again? Definitely – it’s an experience worth repeating.

Groundhog Day is playing at The Old Vic in London until 19th August. Tickets are available here – https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/groundhog-day

Photos © Manuel Harlan