By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Saturday 10 June, opens 22 June and runs through 13 January 2024 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

There are 2 memorable songs in this new musical based on the 1993 film which starred the late Robin Williams as an out of work voice actor who poses as Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to be closer to his 3 children during a messy divorce.

• Read on for reasons including how this musical of a 30-year-old film is no Groundhog Day

It was to Williams’ credit that 30 years ago this deceptive behaviour seemed to be quirky and funny in a riot of cross dressing rather than creepy and deceitful.

The highpoints include makeover song Make Me A Woman during which Gabriel Vick’s Daniel Hillard channels women including Margaret Thatcher and Angela Merkel as his brother and his lover, a fine comic turn by X Factor‘s Marcus Collins, as Mrs Doubtfire comes to life.

The other highlight is comedy number Big Fat No in which Vick hilariously rebuffs British love rival Stuart, given oily life by Samuel Edwards fresh from Anything Goes at the Barbican.

Vick’s central performance is a whirlwind of quick change in and out of drag and his impersonation skills are top drawer but he’s no Robin Williams and the riffing on language and ideas that made his performance in the film so stand-out is absent here.

The 1st half felt slow and as we were debating whether we would return for the 2nd there is at least an interval highpoint where Daniel’s deception is uncovered by 2 of his 3 children.

Mrs Doubtfire is good hearted and schmaltzy plus occasionally funny but to succeed in this genre should really have more than 2 good songs to highlight.

It’s closest competitor in London currently is musical Groundhog Day, which has recently returned to the Old Vic. That was also based on a 30-year-old film with a larger-than-life comic performance at its heart.

But Groundhog Day the musical works better than this because it takes its source material as inspiration rather than carbon copy. We told Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus after Groundhog Day‘s initial run that it was ahead of its time when he revealed his plan for its return and the new production feels less complicated and ripe for a national tour after its Old Vic run.

Back to Mrs Doubtfire the musical and it did leave us thinking how it was a little like Dustin Hoffman movie Tootsie but with children and how its denouement in a restaurant has shades of La Cage Aux Folles in its farcical drag elements.

Ultimately it’s a story with potential that is never matched by the music, lyrics and book by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick.

Say ‘Hellooo poppets!’ to Mrs Doubtfire the if you’re looking for a fun musical but don’t ever expect it to more than occasionally spark with promise.

• Main picture via Facebook courtesy Shaftesbury Theatre Tickets
• Have you seen Mrs Doubtfire – the musical? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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