In 1980, Bob Gale found his father’s high school yearbook during a visit to his parent’s house. What at the time was merely a fleeting speculation, shared with his long-time collaborator, Robert Zemeckis - would my dad and I have been friends had we been in school together? - would go on to become the highest-grossing film of 1985 worldwide, winning an Academy, Hugo and three Saturn Awards. ‘Back to the Future’ is now considered a cultural staple, a brilliantly made science fiction for all the family, despite 40 years having passed since its release date. It is no surprise, therefore, that the two original writers decided to adapt it into a musical with the help of composer Alan Silverstein. But is the musical worth all the acclaim it seems to be getting? 

 

After seeing the live performance for myself on 30th October at the Adelphi Theatre, I will attempt to answer the questions that I had before the performance so that you can resolve any uncertainties about going to see this marvellous production: 

 

Do I need to have watched the films beforehand, and does it differ hugely from the screenplay?

 

No! Watching the 1985 film is not a prerequisite in the slightest. Speaking to younger members of the audience who were not familiar with ‘Back to the Future’ before the show, I was told that “the musical was amazing even without having watched the film. If anything, it was better because every plot twist was a surprise!” 

 

Divergence in the musical from the original plot is minimal: it can be seen in small details like the absence of Einstein, Doc’s dog in 1985, or the fact that the DeLorean is voice-activated, responding exclusively to Doc’s voice and not Marty’s. This loyalty to the authentic storyline means super-fans shouldn’t be disillusioned by a lack of adherence to the film.

 

 

What sort of calibre are the songs and singers?

 

As an avid enthusiast of musicals, I thoroughly enjoyed the songs for their fun and energy, even if they didn’t have a ‘Hamilton’ level of complexity and ingenuity. The musical oozed cheesy enthusiasm and its ‘tongue-in-cheek’ attitude augmented the ‘laugh-out-loud’ humour that was arguably not as prevalent in the film. Elliott Evans as Marty McFly and Lee Ormsby as Doc Brown were incredibly talented singers, while Matthew Ives as George McFly and Georgia Tapp as Lorraine Baines were comical in their portrayals of Marty’s parents.

 

Is the performance suitable for all the family?

 

 If you have done any research about the show, you will have heard about the legendary special effects, staging, lighting and, perhaps above all, the car! Without wanting to give too much away, the sheer dexterity with which they were able to both make the car fly and convey a sense of high-speed movement was unbelievable. This aspect of the musical visibly entranced all members of the audience, especially the younger spectators who I was told after “thought the Time Machine was the COOLEST thing EVER!”, convincing me that the musical is perfect for all age groups - it certainly was in my family.

 

Overall, the musical is without a doubt different to the film in some respects, but if you are looking for a fun evening out for the whole family, with laughing and bright lights and loud music, then ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ is for you. The spirit and exhilaration of the audience, especially when those iconic entrances and lines from the film were imminent, was perhaps the most memorable aspect of the musical for me. 

 

So… why don’t you make like a tree and get outta here ( and book your tickets to ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’)!