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★★★★
In 1990 John Waters created a movie musical ‘Cry-Baby’ that looked at two rival subcultures in a fictional version of Baltimore and featured a young Johnny Depp in the title role. It was adapted into a stage musical by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan in the 2000s, with music by Adam Schlesinger and lyrics by David Javerbaum. Rather excitingly, last week it began performances at London’s Arcola Theatre, with direction by the venue’s Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen. I recently shared an article detailing everything I was looking forward to about the show’s London debut and fortunately it did not disappoint. ‘Cry-Baby, The Musical’ is a really fun and uplifting new addition to the city’s fringe theatre scene.
Origins and adaptation
The musical debuted on Broadway back in 2008 and the film’s narrative has been amended for the stage. In some ways it is even more madcap, leaning into the zany subject matter. It follows a similar storyline, with Allison (a square) and Cry-Baby (a drape) instantly having a romantic connection, but you really start to see the differences when the teenagers get into a spot of trouble. With the 2 hours and 15 minute running time (including an interval), it is extremely fast-paced and events happen quickly, with no room for breaks. There are lots of plot twists and even with a book that is intended to be silly, unrealistic and totally satirical, in places it is borderline too unbelievable to digest. I think you have to take some parts of the narrative on the chin though, as the material is meant to be absorbed through a light-hearted lens.
Upbeat score
It has a toe-tapping, tongue in cheek score that doesn’t take the subject matters too seriously. With the musical set in the 1950s, it has a strong rockabilly sound, taking audiences back in time to the memorable decade. Highlights are ‘I’m Infected’ and ‘Girl Can I Kiss You With Tongue’, which poke fun at teenage life and young love. The lyrics are incredibly witty and you can’t help but laugh at the characters’ idealistic views about the future and the subsequent double meaning of some of the statements, given recent political events.
Staging and choreography
This could be perceived as a somewhat immersive production of ‘Cry-Baby, The Musical’, with the material extending beyond the bounds of the intimate Arcola stage. The seating at the venue is positioned on three sides, with the band elevated above. Frequently performers transcend the steps or join the audience, making spectators a part of the show. It is a novel approach and allows the larger-than-life musical to feel at home in this off-West End venue. There is also plenty of room for Chris Whittaker’s exciting choreography. For the prison-themed ‘A Little Upset’, the company has the opportunity to take over the entire floor, drawing attention with the artistry of the sequences. The precision of the movements is captivating, making this a standout moment of the whole show.
Superb cast performances
‘Cry-Baby’ is packed full of memorable characters that each fit into the city’s subcultures. This production has been brilliantly cast, with each of the actors bringing so much personality to their roles. It goes without saying that the performers have to lean into stereotypes in their performances and it gets a little predictable at times, but this is part of what makes the musical so unique. Standout performances include Eleanor Walsh as Lenora and Elliot Allinson as Baldwin. There are so many comedy opportunities within these roles and their delivery had me laughing out loud. Additionally, the company is led by the exceptionally talented Adam Davidson as Cry-Baby and Lulu-Mae Pears as Allison. Their chemistry on stage is so natural and they break the boundaries of the good girl and bad guy personas.
A resounding success
The Arcola Theatre has created an incredibly upbeat production of ‘Cry-Baby’, featuring a fantastic cast and some really enjoyable music. Is it the most groundbreaking, impactful musical? No, but it is a guaranteed mood booster and honestly I couldn’t think of a more enjoyable musical to watch in the theatre right now. It has also been really well visualised by Mehmet Ergen, using the Arcola space to its full potential. You can catch ‘Cry-Baby’ at the venue until Saturday 12th April 2025, with tickets available via the theatre’s website.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘Cry-Baby, The Musical’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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