.png)
REVIEW | The Karate Kid - The Musical, UK Tour - Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
- Harry Brogan
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review. All views are our own
Currently out playing its UK premiere tour The Karate Kid based on the 80s movie with the same name gets its musical treatment, and as far as movie to stage adaptions go this one feels uneven, with a delivery that is mixed.
The show follows new kid Daniel who's only trying to fit in, but gets into a feuding battle with Johnny a star student of Cobra Kai's. The battle commences between them both with Daniel becoming a target, though Johnny's ex girlfriend Ali sees a spark in Daniel. The battle between them both turns sinister, Daniel looks for help in Mr Miyagi who teaches Karate. Daniel finds out that karate is not what you see on the outside...its more than that. Learning that it's about balance, respect and victories are within.
The Karate Kid the Musical is Directed by Amon Miyamoto, a book by Robert Mark Kamen, music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini and choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid. The show will delight fans of all ages of the film, and it is a show that gave me hopeful promise but also uncertainty from day one, given this is another screen to stage adaption and admittedly I did go in blind for this one having not seen the film before, though The Karate Kid - The Musical feels underwhelming in many ways.
With a book by Robert Mark Kamen (original screenwriter), Kamen unfortunately presents a script that is weak in places, presenting what is mixed levels of characters, scenes that are sometimes feeling rushed in pace, and uneven writing at times resulting unfortunately in me feeling disconnected at times.
From the very start I was hopeful of the show when Mr Miyagi (Adrian Pang) flashes the story back it hooked the audience and promising writing. Kamen cleverly uses this writing technique at the start of the show, and I hoped it would sustain at a positive level throughout. Kamen writes some amusing dialogue - mainly coming from the Mr Miyagi's sarcastic dialogue, and one liners, plus the occasional general humour that pleased audiences, mainly from the younger ones (who were probably the most responsive too). While yes Kamen makes way for comedy, though emotionally Kamen sometimes leaves this out, with then resulting it to be difficult to connect, and with not really leaning into some of the characters relationships or emotional backgrounds enough sometimes seems confusing - such as the mention of Daniel’s dad, that seems to only get mentioned in Act 2 which leads into a musical number called 'If I Could Take His Pain Away'. This almost feels like it comes out of nowhere to me personally, its performed greatly by Sharon Sexton and yes there’s mentions of new beginnings and restarting and more here and there, but for me there is no real prior lead into the song. Kamen's writing brings a nice connection between Sharon Sexton's character of Lucille LaRusso and, Isaac J Lewis, who played Daniel for this performance, showing a nice mother and son relationship, together with an okay growing relationship with Ali Mills (Abigail Amin) and Daniel, sometimes these scene get rushed due to rapid pace of scenes. Kamen's writing is capable of bringing comedy, some good connections, though uneven in areas. Overall Kamen's book is good at transferring the 80s movie to the stage, it's clear that this stage adaption is for sure written mainly for the fans rather than for both a regular theatregoer and fans.
The Karate Kid - The Musical has music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, Gasparini writes tunes that have potential, though unfortunately are instantly forgotten, making it personally difficult to really revisit them after the show or during the interval. I truly think Gasparini presents what are the foundations of songs that could be brilliantly used as great drama school audition or concert material, and could be something, but right now I feel the numbers feel underwhelming, musically fine and all right but lyrically feeling like they need work, resulting in being uneven, but adequate to the show.
Directed by Amon Miyamoto, Kamen's rushed script unfortunately spills into direction, feeling the scenes finish far to quick and feeling unfinished, though Miyamoto's direction of the ensemble are what I would describe as 'karate spirits' in characters minds is elegantly paired with Keone and Mari Madrid's choreography and is an excellent choice in direction. Miyamoto's raises tension between characters well, and gives a likeable connection between Amin and Lewis but with speedy scenes not enough time is given. Though Miyamoto's direction is sufficient enough to keep the show moving along in the two acts.
The cast do a fine job in stepping into these iconic roles of well known characters, Adrian Pang provides a likeable character in Mr Miyagi, Pang brings Mr Miyagi's wisdom and funny side together greatly resulting in performance that is likeable, together with Isaac J Lewis' performance the pairs relationship shines well on stage bringing a nice performance. Sharon Sexton's vocals are well received, as well as showing a loving mother character, Sexton's time on stage is at times short but is great overall, leaving you feeling pleased, as does all the casts performances.
Going into the show I was looking forward to seeing amazing choreography, while on one hand Keone and Mari Madrid's various Karate sequences are executed brilliantly, and the movement from as I said the 'Karate spirits' are elegant, sadly the rest of the choreography feels underwhelming giving the thought of uneven attention, making me looking for more.
Set design by Derek McLane is filled with projections by Peter Nigrini. The production is somewhat reliant on moveable screens on and off stage and some fly in set pieces, which supplies and creates us with a simple yet an effective design to allow the show to move as easily as possible.
Overall, The Karate Kid - The Musical leaves a lasting impression of 'foundations to be great' this show doesn't have all the elements that are equal to one and other as yet, with reworked musical numbers, more fiery choreography and a script what feels a little less rushed, The Karate Kid - The Musical could be something.
★★★
The Karate Kid - The Musical plays at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre until Saturday 11th July before continuing its tour until Saturday 1st of August:
