Caissie Levy in Next to Normal at Wyndham’s Theatre. © Marc BrennerGiven the unlikely subject matter, and the simply superb and sensitive way in which the cast and creative team have handled the material, the end result is quite simply a breathtaking achievement. The sheer emotional punch which the production delivers from the get-go, with powerhouse performances from every member of the superb cast, is a testament to the strength and quality of the groundbreaking exploration on which they have embarked. This statement is no mere hyperbole.
Without wishing to appear glib, who knew that mental health disorders and conditions would and could provide such a rich and potent stream of material from which to create musical theatre entertainment? Today’s creators aren’t scared to explore medical and emotional conditions which have a very real impact on sufferers and the lives of those they touch. Here, a seemingly perfect nuclear family endures the impact of a mother’s long-term bipolar disorder, triggered long ago by the trauma of losing her infant son.
In Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s show, the narrative revolves around Diana (Caissie Levy) who as mother of a dead son, suffers delusions that her now 18 year old boy Gabe (Jack Wolfe) is still part of the family. Their closeness and bond is palpable leading to fraught moments with husband Dan (Jamie Parker) and estrangement from her daughter Natalie (Eleanor Worthington-Cox) who in Superboy and the Invisible Girl sings of the impossible task of being recognised and loved as a child living in the shadow of a deceased sibling. Throw into the mix an endearingly earnest lad Henry (Jack Ofrecio) who wants to be Natalie’s boyfriend, and assorted psychopharmacologists who prescribe cocktails of drugs and even electric shock therapy (Trevor Dion Nicholas) and traumatic incidents and revelations are never very far away.
The cast’s energy and talent is showcased and driven by an accomplished modern score, delivered by a 6-piece band who occupy 3 distinct panels above the main playing area. Final mention must go to the sleek, stylish and technically effective set design delivered by Chloe Lamford, redolent of her previous work, most notably her impressive Phaedra at the National Theatre Lyttelton last year.
