The hilarious musical, The Book of Mormon, makes its return to the Edinburgh Playhouse following on from its sell-out 2022 season. By the South Park creators, the show returns a couple of years on with a brand new cast, and similar high production values. The show is of West End standard and scale and is likely the funniest night at the theatre you will have this year.
The Book of Mormon has become a West End staple having opened its doors in 2013, the show also has been running on Broadway since 2011 and has gone on several US tours, as well as this now being its second UK Tour. Playing the Edinburgh Playhouse for a three-week run, the show is grand enough in scale to pack in audiences in this 3000-seater venue. As the curtain rose on opening night, hearing 3000 people laughing along, and rising to their feet in ovation at the end, shows the effect this show continues to have on theatre audiences who crave feel-good escapism. Please note, that this show is mature in its script and tone and is advised as 14+, and Under 16’s have to be accompanied by an adult.
Photography by Paul Coltas.
Written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, as well as writer Robert Lopez who went on to write the songs for Frozen, the show follows a group of Mormon missionaries sent across the globe to spread the teachings of the Book of Mormon. An unlikely pairing of Elder Price, one of the most well-regarded young missionaries, as well as Elder Cunningham, a shy and introverted elder who has a bad habit of bending the truth, are sent to Uganda to try and spread the messages of the church, as well as aim to ultimately convert those living in the area to The Book of Mormon. With Elder Price’s hopes that god would send him to his favourite place, Orlando, both Mormon missionaries soon discover that their lives back home are parallel to those living in these harsh conditions in the fictionalised version of Uganda. To emphasise, it appears this place has been created fictionally to show how far from reality these young Mormons are, adding to the hilarity of them both trying to navigate a way of life far from their middle-class American lifestyles.
Photography by Paul Coltas.
Throughout the show, you meet a range of young missionaries who have also been posted there and had no luck in converting the locals, as well as a range of Ugandan locals including, Nabulungi, a younger girl who dreams of something better. You also encounter her father, Mafala Hatimbi, who also acts as the Mormon’s welcome guide and explains to the Mormon missionaries the harshness of this version of Ugandan life. You also meet the General who is in ultimate control of the area. The local people live under his thumb and must obey any rules or laws passed down from him.
Photography by Paul Coltas.
Adam Bailey and Sam Glen play the leading actors of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham. Both actors have experience in London’s West End and have previous experience working on the show. Adam played Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys and previously was a Swing in The Book of Mormon, and Sam also played Elder Cunningham in the West End. This experience is shown in their central performances. Both actors deliver faultless performances and work together effortlessly. They have great stage presence and understand the characters fully. Nyah Nish plays Nabulungi, who is the young girl who meets the pair and dreams of life somewhere better. Nyah delivers brilliant vocals in the musical number, Sal Tlay Ka Siti. This song, which refers to the boys talking of Salt Lake City in Utah, is one of Nyah dreaming of somewhere where each day isn’t a struggle and things are better. Although the song is filled with many funny lines, the central message of this song is powerful, feels realistic and shows the hopes and wants of Nabulungi’s character. Nyah is perfectly cast for the role and delivers a great performance.
Photography by Paul Coltas.
The other men playing the Mormons deliver great energy and dancing ability, in particular in the Act 1 number, Turn it Off, whereby the group's leader, Elder McKinley, played by Tom Bales, shares a tale of his friend Steve Blade, who he grew close to when he was younger and suppresses his desires for Steve in the words of the song “...like a light switch”, this witty number has a big tap dance break in the middle and is performed well by the group of Mormons, and lead brilliantly by Tom Bales character, Elder McKinley. The whole ensemble of actors delivers strong performances which are spread across the Ugandan locals, and the Mormon missionaries, as well as them all playing a host of characters including evil historical figures in a full-out Act 2 opener “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream”.
Photography by Paul Coltas.
The show is as good as what you will see in the West End and that is no mean feat. Lighting design and scenic design by Brian Macdevitt transports you from Ugandan huts to a hell dream sequence, to Orlando, as well as large arches around the stage with stained glass windows, creating the overall feel of the church. Choreography by Casey Nicholaw delivers Broadway-style dance numbers and Ann Roth’s costume design brings the variety of characters to life perfectly.
Overall, The Book of Mormon is such a funny show. The dialogue is rude and edgy, but the show has a lot of heart. The two Mormon leads go on a journey of navigating life in Uganda, and also realise that however different they may be, through an understanding of one another, they can grow as individuals.
This show has been rated ☆☆☆☆
The Book of Mormon runs at Edinburgh Playhouse until the 2nd of November. For more information and to book visit: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-book-of-mormon/edinburgh-playhouse/.
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