Next To Normal ★★★★★ Wyndham’s Theatre | Jun 18 - Sep 21, 2024


Definitely not your usual "moon in June" musical, Next To Normal confronts its audience with some extremely challenging subjects. A family struggles with the twin trials of mental illness and grief, and the brutal realities of these adversities are unflinchingly exposed. Diana has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and despite her husband and daughter being supportive, Diana's behaviour takes a toll on both of them. While husband, Dan, looks for therapeutic solutions, daughter, Natalie, seeks refuge in schoolwork and music. However, Diana's issue ultimately defies the former and upends the latter. Next To Normal searingly reflects the effects of mental illness on a family while holding the audience riveted. There are definitely some outstanding performances here, and Caissie Levy is quite mesmerising as Diana. She certainly merited her Olivier nomination as best actress for this performance. As daughter, Natalie, who comes to mirror her mother's behaviour, Eleanor Worthington-Cox is also brilliantly believable, and Jamie Parker as the supportive husband is pitch perfect. The score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey does an extraordinary job of capturing the urgency and poignancy of all the characters' situations. The song "It's Gonna Be Good" aches with hope, and Jack Wolfe's rendition of "I'm Alive" is positively haunting. Chloe Lamford's set makes terrific use of the fairly limited space, and Tony Gayle's sound design stands out. There is definitely some humour in this piece, but it is all pretty dark and the conclusion of the evening with the song, "Light," certainly seems more aspirational than realistic. This is not an easy night in the theatre, but it is a brilliantly rewarding one.

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Marc Brenner

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

When, Where, Getting there:

Most Popular

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

King of Pangea ★★ King's Head Theatre | Jun 7 - Jul 6, 2025

This Is My Family ★★★★ Southwark Playhouse, Elephant | May 23 - Jul 12, 2025

Elephant ★★★★★ Menier Chocolate Factory | May 22 - Jun 28, 2025

Here We Are ★★★★ National Theatre | Until June 28, 2025

Our Cosmic Dust ★★★ Park Theatre | Jun 2 - Jul 5, 2025

The Barber in London: Highlights from a Remarkable Collection ★★★★ The Courtauld Gallery | May 23, 2025 - Feb 22, 2026

The Frogs ★★★ Southwark Playhouse, Borough | May 23 - Jun 28, 2025

House of Games ★★★ Hampstead Theatre | May 2 - Jun 7, 2025

The Comedy About Spies ★★★★★ Noël Coward Theatre | Until September 5, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings