30th September Dear Evan Hansen

On Saturday night TOM and I had a jolly into a very busy Nottingham for what could have been a bit of a risky theatre trip. A risk because I wasn't sure if it would be TOM's cup of tea. 

And that particular cup of tea was Dear Evan Hansen, in what was the first time that this Broadway and West End sensation has toured the UK. Winners of Tony's, Grammys and Olivier awards it has been described as 'the musical of a generation which was evident from the packed out audience of a noticably younger age range than almost any of the other plays we have seen. 

Dear Evan Hansen has certainly struck a chord with late teens and early adults across the world I just wasn't sure that is would also appeal to TOM's generation as well, prefering as he does 'entertainment' rather than a musical about social exclusion, suicide, mental health, parenthood, loss and the lies we sometimes tell to protect others and ourselves. As it turned out I needen't have worried....it was fabulous.

With a great ensemble cast, an outstanding lead actor in Ryan Kopel, some great staging effects and a collection of wonderfully catchy and memorable songs, written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul who were responsible for The Greatest Showman, for large parts of the show you could have heard a pin drop (of a plastic water bottle crunch from the girls sat next to us!!). 

It was a rollercoaster of a show, with the emotional highlight coming at the end of Act one with the showstopping and tear inducing, 'You will be found', the most famous song from the musical. As such, with most of the big numbers frontloaded, the second act took a little while to get going but with everyone present emotionally invested in all the characters on stage, despite their obvious flaws, it didnt really matter.

At the end of the evening it wasn't just the performance that was fantastic but it had also caused me to think. Think about those I come into contact with who are feeling invisible or always on the outside looking in and who might create fantasy lives in order to try to fit in with a world that is alien to them.

Nottingham was the first stop at the start of a UK tour that will run well into 2025. If Dear Evan Hansen comes your way then try to see it. It was that good.