‘Newsies was that good in the theatre that I’m going to pay to go back again’

I was buzzing with excitement as we passed underneath the neon arrow and enormous ‘Newsies’ sign above the theatre’s door to enjoy a night of music and dancing.

The theatre’s interior has an industrial feel, perfectly matching the backdrop of New York during the 1899 paper boy strike.

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The show follows Jack Kelly, a 17-year-old newspaper boy, and his friends as they struggle to make ends meet.

Things take a turn for the worse when the cost of newspapers goes up and the newsies can’t afford to buy and resell them anymore, so the group takes action and goes on strike.

I have to say that it was especially interesting to watch this show in the current climate as we see train, nurse and teacher strikes regularly.

Despite being set over a hundred years ago, the talking points of the show could be picked up and dropped into a 2023 setting easily.

It made the heartfelt music underpinning the newsies’ struggle all the more poignant and powerful and, as someone who has spoken to people striking regularly as part of my job, the show really struck a chord with me.

However, this wouldn’t be a Disney musical without some pizazz to pick up the mood.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom at the picket line as the show was packed with energetic dance numbers and heartfelt music.

My jaw was on the floor as I watched the cast showcase their talent in number after number as they danced, jumped, leapt, and flipped across the stage.

I was blown away by the stunts in the show as I watched dancers swing through the theatre on zip lines, twirl in the air as they hung onto lamps and even whipped out a whole tap-dancing number.

The multi-talented cast was perfectly in sync with a polished performance that left nothing to critique.

The show’s set did even more to elevate the cast’s brilliant performance.

We were warned a few minutes before Newsies started that there would be action on the staircases next to our seats and that was certainly no exaggeration.

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Newsies creatives really utilised the entire theatre and not just the stage itself with performers on the stairs, on balconies and even the aforementioned zip line.

As a musical theatre fan, I’ll admit that I have wanted to see Newsies since it took Broadway by storm back in 2012 but couldn’t justify a trip across the pond to watch it.

But I have to say that it was worth the wait.

It may not be nestled in the West End like London’s other popular shows but I would say it is definitely worth the journey and not to be missed.

To me, this show was a 10/10 and to show just how brilliant it was, I’m planning to book tickets and go again before it closes.