Pop Off, Michelangelo!
Review by Sam
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hot off its wildly acclaimed Fringe run, Dylan MarcAurele’s Renaissance musical comedy arrive in London for two performances. But much like Michaelangelo’s The David, is it a beautifully sculpted piece of theatre?
After a sexual awakening at a young age, best friends Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci attempt to earn religious forgiveness by becoming the greatest artists of their generation. This completely real and not at all fictionalised script oozes glorious camp energy from the get go. Featuring a catchy electro-pop score, brought to life through unexpected contemporary references, the production shines with its hilariously unhinged lyrics.
Multiple pop-culture references are crammed into a jam packed book, which has a similar comedic energy to the Book of Mormon. It never shy’s away from any subject matter, always ensuring that it goes over and beyond to deliver the laughs. I Want Song and Drawn To You were personal highlights of mine and the ones I want to be listening to on Spotify right away. I couldn’t help but be reminded of this year’s phenomenal production of BABIES whilst watching this piece. as the potential the show has to be a real success was glaringly obvious if expanded with even more life breathed into it.
The talented cast all give incredible performances, with Max Eade leading the piece in a phenomenal professional debut. Showcasing incredible talent throughout, Eade is sure to have a bright future ahead after delivering stunning vocals and perfect comedic timing. BABIES alumni Lucy Carter returns to the venue with a performance which once again displays the vast range of her talent, playing alongside a scene stealing Paul Toulson who is commandingly funny throughout.
If you have tickets to the final performance tonight, it’s safe to say you are in for a comedic feast that will have you crying with laughter from start to finish. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this gloriously camp show and I’m hoping that this isn’t the end of Mike and Leo’s story!