Photo: Pamela Raith Photography
Once more Manchester’s Opera House hosted another World Premiere last night in the latest show where Manchester gets it first!
13 Going on 30 is adapted from the 2004 romantic comedy about Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who wishes to skip her awkward teenage years and be “thirty, flirty, and thriving.” After making her wish, she wakes up as her 30-year-old self, a successful magazine editor. At first thrilled, Jenna soon realizes adult life isn’t as perfect as she imagined—especially when she’s drifted from her childhood best friend, Matt.
From the first beat of music until the last, the energy on stage was infectious with the younger part of the company shining bright, and by tonight’s showing confirming the future of musical theatre performers is in the safest of hands.
Amelia Minto and Max Bispham as the young Jenna and Matt look like they have been performing on stage for many more years than their age allows. Their confidence, vocals and stage presence was hypnotic and stole many of the scenes in this musical. They are supported by an equally strong young cast with Anna De Oliveira and Emmeline D’arcy Walsh catching the eye.
The elder versions of Jenna and Matt are played by Lucie Jones and David Hunter respectively. Jones lights up the stage which she inhabits for the majority of the night apart from a few costume changes and proves she is one of the best leading ladies musical theatre has right now. Hunter as Matt is the perfect foil to Jones’ Jenna, the two perfectly cast.
Grace Mouat returns to the Opera House following her last world premiere at the venue in &Juliet as Lucy, Jenna’s best friend. Mouat is deliciously devious and a joy to watch on stage with a powerful vocal performance.
Caleb Roberts (Richard) and Andrew Belin (Kyle) shine brightest in the adult cast.
Staging for this musical is basic but striking with impressive visuals helping to tell the story and framed in light.
The brand new score from Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner provides some catchy numbers with the young company being gifted some of the best. Both the opening number, ‘Wanna Be’ and ‘Too Late’ which closes act 1 being two of the best. Jennifer Weber’s choreography is impressive and perfectly executed throughout by both young and old cast members with the famous Thriller scene from the movie being a highlight.
Director Any Fickman has stayed faithful to the film and possibly enhanced it, with the inclusion of the young cast throughout the entire show and not just limited to the opening scenes as per the movie version.
Once again, Manchester’s Opera House has hosted another hit which no doubt has a life after Manchester and would not be out of place in the West End. Blending humour, heart, and nostalgia about growing up 13 Going on 30 like the young cast has a long future to look forward to.
Playing until 12th October in Manchester, https://www.1330musical.com/
Reviewer: Paul Downham
Reviewed: 30th September 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Living in south-east London means that Notting Hill can feel as distant and awkward to…
The Bay City Rollers were a 1970s phenomenon hailing from Edinburgh. They had huge popularity…
Last night I had the pleasure of being invited along to the always wonderful Grand…
Fourteen years after it debuted on screen, audiences got their first glimpse of Burlesque on…
Boo! There that’s got that out of the way to begin with. Lurking in the…
Bruiser Woods had us in the palm of his hands, appearing as he did quite…