Composer/lyricist Tim Minchin and writer Danny Rubin have tweaked their 2016 hit musical to deliver greater emotional impact.
The story of narcissistic TV weatherman Phil Connors (Andy Karl, reprising his original role) trapped in a time loop in a small town is both science fiction fable and romcom.
Connors is cursed to repeat the same day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to report on the weather predictions of the eponymous mammal until he learns the error of his ways.
Darker than the film, it is driven by Karl’s superb performance who manages Connors’ gradual evolution from shallow egotism to warm-hearted humanity with utter conviction.
He negotiates the various stages of his journey with a finely nuanced performance, from Faustian drug-fuelled orgies to suicidal despair en route to redemption.
Director Matthew Warchus keeps the hectic activity flowing freely, aided by Rob Howell’s sets that employ miniature buildings,
cars and a moveable boarding house. The theatrical illusions accompanying his three suicide attempts are perfectly executed.
Karl, Tanisha Spring as Rita, Andrew Langtree as his old school buddy Ned and Eve Norris as the small town hottie Nancy are all outstanding.
Being trapped in a space/time continuum has rarely seemed so enjoyable.
- The Old Vic until August 19. Tickets: 0344 871 7628
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