Cry Baby

Review by Abi

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cry Baby at the Arcola Theatre is a joyride through 1950s Baltimore, blending romance, rebellion, and rock 'n' roll. The musical, based on the 1990 John Waters film, follows the unlikely romance between rich girl, Alison, and the bad boy, Cry Baby, set against a backdrop of emerging youth culture and social divides.

The entire ensemble were mesmerising, with the standout vocal performance of the evening coming from Chad Saint Louis as Dupree W. Dupree. His smooth, charismatic delivery brought depth and charm to this character. However, the production’s real stand-out was Eleanor Walsh as Leonora Frigid. Walsh's performance was nothing short of sensational, specifically her rendition of "Screw Loose" left the audience in stitches. Her impeccable comedic timing and larger-than-life presence elevated the production consistantly as she cerments herself as a one-to-watch performer!

The cast ensure to consistantly bring brilliantly infectious energy to the stage, working collectively to deliver lively group numbers with fun choreography. This energy was highlighted by the 'Whiffles,' a group of quirky characters whose synergy and comedy were nothing short of brilliant. Their energy added an extra layer of humour to the evening, with some real scene-stealing moments and plenty of laughs throughout.

Though the production’s staging was minimal, the creative team make full use of the space, creating a truly immersive theatrical atmosphere. The studio has been purposefully designed (beyond just the stage) with the cast making use of the entire playing space. With the theatre itself being so intimate, this immersion kept the audience fully engaged and transported into the heart of the story.

Arcola's Cry Baby is a high-energy, hilarious, and heartwarming production that showcases some excellent emerging talent. The dynamic cast delivered this brillaint material, making this show an joy-ride of an evening. Don’t miss this chaotic trip back to 1950s Baltimore!