Beetlejuice the Musical has finally landed in the UK at The Prince Edward Theatre, bringing its unique blend of morbidity and humour to London audiences. Based on the 1988 Tim Burton film, the stage adaptation by Eddie Perfect follows a mischievous undead creature trying to escape the underworld while tormenting two families—one living, one dead. After a successful Broadway run during the pandemic, the show now makes its West End debut.
David Fynn as Beetlejuice: Chaos and Heckling
David Fynn takes on the titular role of the ghoul who thrives on chaos and says the most heinous things to everyone, including the audience. One of the show's highlights is his improvised quips directed at children in the audience, often asking parents why they brought their kids to a show about death. Fynn recalled one memorable child who was an "anomaly," responding to his question with: "Yeah, your mum likes to kiss her own butt!" Fynn laughed, calling him "the hardest one to handle so far."
Hannah Nordberg as Lydia: The Heart of the Show
Hannah Nordberg, a 22-year-old theatre newcomer known for her role in HBO's Euphoria, excels as Lydia Deetz. The first scene features Lydia standing at her mother's grave days after her death—a haunting image that sets the tone. Nordberg finds the show's candidness about death refreshing: "It's quite refreshing to actually have characters that don't shy away from it. To actually embrace it, and on top of that, somehow have fun and find a way to live with that grief." She believes the show's message—that life is short and we must move forward—is a valuable lesson for audiences of all ages.
Balancing Humour and Grief
Despite the dark themes, Beetlejuice the Musical strikes a saccharine tone with soliloquies and emotional turmoil. Fynn noted the show's "huge heart" and its appeal to families if parents are comfortable with swearing. Nordberg added that the show offers "a lot of great lessons" and "real characters," making it a good way to introduce children to life's difficult aspects. The show runs currently at The Prince Edward Theatre, with tickets available through various outlets.
