★★★★★

This is a show that has been a long time coming and there has been much anticipation about a London run ever since it opened off-Broadway in 2008 and then on Broadway in 2009. In fact tickets for this limited run at The Donmar Warehouse have been like gold dust.

This was never going to be an easy show to sit through, given the subject matter. With a book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, this rock musical deals with drugs, addiction, child loss, grief, and suicide.

With a small cast, the plot features on a suburban family, Diana (played by Caissie Levy) and Dan (played by Jamie Parker) and their children Gabe (played by Jack Wolfe) and Natalie (played by Eleanor Worthington-Cox). Drawn into the family is Natalie’s boyfriend, Henry (played by Jack Ofrecio). The cast is completed by Trevor Dion Nicholas in the dual roles of Dr Madden and Dr Fine.

Director Michael Longhurst makes full use of the space at the Donmar Warehouse, which has the audience on three sides. The main stage is complimented by an upper level which serves as a space for the band (sometimes visible, sometimes hidden), as well as the upstairs of the family home. Lighting (designed by Lee Curran) and screens allows the upper level to open up or to present the actors as silhouettes. The main area of the stage is largely kept as the focal point of the family home: the kitchen. A very clever design by Chloe Lamford allows the island to push back into the wall when it is not needed – I admit to being puzzled when this first happened and I had to pay close attention the next time to work out how they had done it. Longhurst’s direction makes clever use of a revolve – especially at the devastating end of Act 1. There are manic moments to the direction, with actors exiting the stage and returning almost immediately from a different entrance. This was slightly disorientating, which was in keeping with the manic episodes playing out in front of us.

Jamie Parker and Jack Wolfe

The opening sequence appears to present a typical family. Natalie is 16 and trying to get through school, relying on energy drinks to keep her going. Her older brother, Gabe, has broken his curfew and stayed out late, leaving home the next morning with minimal sleep. Dan is the breadwinner who doesn’t seem aware of what is going on and Diana is the mother, just about holding it all – with that apparent super power that a lot of Mums have in that they seem to know everyone’s schedule. But slowly it starts to fall about as lunch sandwiches are strewn around the stage and it becomes clear that there is more to this family.

It is worth noting that there is a massive plot point about 15 mins into the show and it is hard to discuss the production, or the performances, in much more detail without referring to it. I was not aware of it and I am glad that I was not (I had been advised not to read the programme until the interval). If you have not yet seen the show and do not want to know more, then I would advise not reading any more of this review.

So, if you are still here …

Caissie Levy

The star of the show is undoubtably Caissie Levy. Her portrayal of a woman spiralling as her bi-polar condition worsens is mesmerising. The afore mentioned sandwich moment marks a shift in her performance, and as she hits rock bottom towards the end of Act 1 she has the audience right there with her. Her vocals are powerful and emotional – her rendition of ‘I Miss the Mountains’ is a highlight of the show.

Jamie Barker is a slow burn as Dan – but that is largely down to how the show is written. Throughout Act 1 he almost bumbles along, not sure how to deal with things but trying to remain resolute. However it is towards the end of the act that he has his moment to shine and shine he does. He is a man who still loves his wife but is floundering and lost when it comes to how to deal with her. His attempt to clean up the blood after her suicide attempt was heartbreaking

Caissie Levy, Jack Wolfe, Jack Ofrecio, and Jamie Parker

Jack Wolfe is definitely one to watch for the future. Playful at first he turns more manic as his mother does, reflecting the fact that he exists only in her mind. His vocals and physical performance ensure that ‘I’m Alive’ is the standout moment from the show and that the chorus will play through in your mind as you leave the theatre. I wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t at least nominated for awards for this role.

The family is completed by Eleanor Worthington-Cox. She carries the secondary plot of the show, as she starts to self-medicate to cope with life at school and at home. It is a weak subplot but it is a testament to her that it succeeds. Seen earlier this year in The Secret Life of Bees at the Almedia, she is best known as one of the original West End Matildas. This performance shows that she has clearly made the transition to adult performer and what a transition it is. I was blown away by her performance.

Eleanor Worthington-Cox

Jack Ofrecio is Natalie’s boyfriend. Another great performance – really, there is very little to fault with this cast. It is him who presents Natalie with the chance to self-medicate and this sinister nature to his character is lurking there behind his clear affection for her.

Trevor Dion Nicholas is a God-like psychiatrist, proclaiming his diagnosis and prescription over Diana. There is no doubt that he has great presence on stage which commands attention.

Trevor Dion Nicholas

Longhurst makes great use of the lighter moments in the show – I just have to think about the fridge and I start smiling – but never allows the audience to become complacent. These lighter moments are necessary given the heavy subject matter, and Longhurst’s direction never allows those moments to relax us too much, always ensuring that we are draw back into the negative aspects of manic depression.

As I said, I went into this knowing almost nothing about it and it has stayed with me since. I sincerely hope this gets a West End transfer as it deserves.

Next to Normal is playing at the Donmar Warehouse until 7 October 2023 – www.donmarwarehouse.com

Photos © Marc Brenner