Figaro: An Original Musical
Review by Jude
⭐⭐⭐
For two nights only, the London Palladium hosts the world premiere of Figaro, a concert production which promises grand spectacle.
Sienna, a farm girl dreaming of stardom, meets two orphans who lead her to Figaro, a mysterious travelling performer who promises to make her a star - at a cost.
As a concert, the production was of high quality, with lavish costumes and a beautiful set. The music was entrancing, with sweeping melodies and soaring ballads that left me with goosebumps. Some of the "performance" numbers felt visually sparse, but the cast worked hard with movement and blocking to maintain engagement. The potential for a full-scale production with an ensemble would elevate these moments, giving the show a richer feel.
Jon Robyns gives a commanding performance, but the character of Figaro sadly was 1-dimensional. Cayleigh Capaldi brought innocence to Sienna, with powerful vocals, though her character followed a cliché ingénue arc, making her story feel predictable. Aimie Atkinson was a highlight, perfectly embodying a woman scorned, and her "showgirl" numbers were some of the evening's most memorable. Ava Brennan delivered a captivating performance as Gia, a fairy godmother-type character, bringing warmth and quiet strength to the story.
The real stars of the night, however, were Cian Eagle-Service and Sophia Goodman as the two orphans. From the moment they stepped on stage, their charm and talent shone. Their talent brought heart to the show, earning them the loudest and longest applause of the night.
Overall, the story didn’t quite click and it was difficult to root for the leads, as the characters often felt unlikeable. Relationships felt underdeveloped, making their emotional moments feel unearned. The latter half of the show introduced a stronger sense of resolution and breadcrumbs of complex character elements, though they sadly remained surface-level. All the foundations of a great musical are here, but it needs refinement to truly shine. With further development and a more fully realised production, Figaro could become something truly special.