BWW Reviews: GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT, The Arts Theatre, 22 June 2015

The jukebox musical American Idiot, inspired by the work of Grammy award-winning punk rock band, Green Day, has opened at the Arts Theatre for its first full London run.

The show shares its name with Green Day's concept album about life for America's youth, post-9/11 and amidst misleading media. It's a definition of teenage angst, but with a message which is still of vital importance. As director Racky Plews writes in her programme notes, "Open your mind, open your heart and don't be an idiot." Perhaps "American Idiot" the musical will prompt more people to question what they are spoonfed.

However, the show itself is a mixed bag. Aaron Sidwell is extraordinary - his sheer energy is impressive, not to mention his vocal stamina. Sidwell is rarely offstage and didn't seem to miss a note throughout, whilst constantly demonstrating understanding of a difficult performance style. Alexis Gerred and Steve Rushton were also excellent. Despite the show's lack of dialogue and arguably weak structure, particularly Rushton found an interesting character. Natasha Barnes did a beautiful job as Heather - her voice was stunning from the off and she was always immensely believable, bringing all lyrics to life. The ensemble were also fantastic. Though there were a few awkward rock dancing moments, for the most the challenging movement was performed with passion and seeming ease and the vocals were impressive from all. Sara Perks also deserves a nod for her eerie design.

That said, it is extraordinary that Amelia Lily has top billing for this production; the part of Whatsername is far smaller than that of Johnny, Sidwell's character, and while her voice is great, Amelia Lily's movement and acting need to be better. Even for a jukebox musical, this casting is wildly inappropriate. This lack of skill in a London production is frankly embarrassing. Any one of the other female members of cast could have done the part.

Also, this musical doesn't necessarily work as a piece. Director and choreographer Racky Plews has done a great job in some ways; her movement exudes the frustration such politics conjure and she found some lovely moments of comedy amidst the angst. However, the narrative just isn't complex or clear enough to be interesting. There is very little dialogue and, unless you are a religious Green Day fan, the messages and melodies rather blur into one. Perhaps other stagings of the show have been more coherent, but I am more inclined to condemn the piece as giving Plews an impossible job.

All in all, this mixed evening showed some extraordinary talent and Racky Plews again demonstrated her expressive and stylistically appropriate choreography, but was let down by celebrity casting. While it might attract an audience, it just isn't how we can produce world class musical theatre.

American Idiot runs at the Arts Theatre until 27 September 2015.

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