Over the many years I have been reviewing theatre I have often seen shows that started life as movies and have gone on a few years later to be adapted for the stage – usually by turning them into musicals.
The latest to go down this route is the 1984 blockbuster ‘The Karate Kid’ which spawned several spin-offs and a TV series – all of which have added new followers in new generations.
Last night’s audience at The Alexandra Birmingham press night of the show’s premiere UK tour, comprised mostly of faithful KK fans. It seems if you grew up on watching ‘wax on, wax off’ antics and gorged yourself on ‘Cobra Kai’, this is the stage version you didn’t know you needed. Every kick and chop (often set to vocals) was greeted with gusto by many.
For those of you who – like me – knew the name but not the story, (I was more Kung Fu and grasshoppers) it’s an underdog tale about a kid from New Jersey, Daniel LaRusso, getting bullied when he moves to California with his mum. Daniel finds an unlikely mentor in Mr Miyagi, the apartment maintenance man with a quiet wisdom and hidden martial arts talents. Together they face the Cobra Kai dojo and Daniel learns that karate is about ‘peace, balance and respect’ — not just winning.
Apparently, this is Gino Ochello’s professional debut as Daniel and he handles the challenge very well – he’s s sulky teenager without being tiresome, he shows his vulnerable side and makes his journey worth rooting for. Adrian Pang as Mr Miyagi is the undisputed star of the show. He’s funny, wise and brings real depth to his scenes with Daniel. Their chemistry really works.
Sharon Sexton puts in the most believable performance of the show as Daniel’s mother Lucille LaRusso and does a fine job of singing ‘If I Could Take His Pain Away’ which – despite its title – is the best number in the songbook.
Matt Mills as John Kreese, the ex-Vietnam veteran and villainous head of the Cobra Kai dojo, makes the best of the tightly drawn caricature he’s been given and his singing voice booms beautifully.
Likewise, Abigail Amin as sweet little rich girl Ali Mills and Joe Simmons as little baddy Johnny Lawrence, cut their cloth perfectly on the text and lyrics they’ve got to work with.
Amon Miyamoto’s direction keeps the action flowing and the energy levels high amongst a very talented company. The choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid cleverly merges martial arts and dance. The dream sequences in particular are breathtaking and executed perfectly.
Chris Poon MD’s and plays keys with a superb band who are worth staying to listen to after the walkdown has been and gone. The setting by designer Derek McLane uses Shoji screens for seamless transitions, and the lighting design by Bradley King by feels almost alive, it’s so visually rich and imaginative.
The book for the show is by Robert Mark Kamen based on his own original screenplay and the music and lyrics for the songbook are by Drew Gasparini. Whilst I am sure Kamen has stayed true to his own original movie script, for me much of the text lacks the depth necessary when telling the story on stage. Here actors haven’t got the background visuals of a movie to distract you from the text. Also, whilst the songs are mostly well sung, they are very ordinary. They may be ‘stand-alone’ but they rarely ‘stand-out’.
Undoubtedly ‘Karate Kid – The Musical’ thrilled its devotees and even brought people into the theatre that were first timers which is a very good thing – so I don’t want to end this review on a stuffy note. If you are, or have ever been, a Karate Kid fan then ‘The Karate Kid – The Musical’ is unmissable – but if like me a neutral observer , then maybe it’s the opposite.
Karate Kid – The Musical runs at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre until Saturday, July 25. Click here for times, tickets and more information.
