As part of an ambitious and exciting 2026 season, Manchester Musical Youth returned to Z-arts with a vibrant, heartfelt revival of 13 The Musical, only the second time in the company’s history they have staged this beloved coming-of-age musical, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn.
At the heart of 13 is a story about identity, friendship, belonging, and the sometimes-painful journey of figuring out where you fit in. Set against the chaos of adolescence, the musical follows Evan Goldman (played by Jasper Holden), a young teenager uprooted from city life and dropped into the complex social ecosystem of middle school. What unfolds is far more than a story about fitting in before a Bar Mitzvah; it is a witty, honest and deeply relatable exploration of loyalty, peer pressure, first love and learning what really matters. There is humour in abundance, infectious energy throughout, but also a strong moral thread running beneath the comedy – a reminder that kindness, authenticity and friendship ultimately outweigh popularity.
Under the ever-reliable direction of Dave Holden, musical direction from Kimberly Holden, choreography by Sarah Mullins, apprentice direction from Shannon Wild and assistant choreography by Rose Warburton, this production once again demonstrated why MMY consistently produces youth theatre of such remarkable quality. A huge strength of this staging was its decision to cast some of the youngest principal performers to take on main stage leading roles for the company. Traditionally, many of these roles fall to older senior members, but this fresh approach paid off magnificently, allowing younger performers to step forward and prove themselves beyond expectation.
Jasper Holden, in his first leading role, was the undeniable beating heart of the production. Having watched MMY productions from the audience for years before finding the confidence to step onstage four years ago, his progression has been a joy to witness. Here, he carried the show with confidence, warmth and genuine star quality. His vocals were assured, his acting sincere and nuanced, and he anchored the emotional core of the piece with maturity beyond his years. There was a natural ease to his performance that made it easy to forget this was his first leading role. He demonstrated not only strong leading-man credentials but the emotional intelligence to carry a narrative of this scale. It felt very much like a breakthrough performance, and one senses this is only the beginning for a hugely promising young performer. Watching Jasper’s confidence grow over the past four years has been a pleasure, and this performance felt like the moment all that hard work blossomed into something truly special.
As Lucy, Sarah Ali was simply sensational. A performer clearly born to lead, she made Lucy deliciously sharp, sassy and manipulative while giving the character charisma and edge. Her singing, dancing and acting mark her out as a genuine triple threat. There were moments where one could easily imagine her stepping into roles in Mean Girls or Heathers in years to come. She is undoubtedly one to watch.
William Madden, following in the footsteps of his older brother at MMY, brought plenty of charm to Brett, capturing the swagger and comic bravado of the school’s “cool guy.” He handled the role well and showed a natural confidence on stage, particularly in the ensemble-driven moments. He has strong comic instincts and a likeable presence, and while there is still room to refine his acting by sustaining character through some of Brett’s funnier moments, that development will no doubt come with experience. There is clear potential here, and he continues a strong family legacy within MMY.
A special mention must go to Adam Csanyi as Rabbi Shapiro, particularly impressive in his first year with MMY. It was a commendable debut performance, delivered with confidence and sincerity, and he showed himself to be a thoughtful young actor with excellent promise for the future.
Katie Hyde’s Patrice was beautifully judged, warm, grounded and vocally stunning. She seized the role completely and made Patrice wholly her own, bringing depth, sincerity and charm to every moment she was on stage. Her silky vocals were a joy to listen to, delivered with poise and emotional honesty, while her naturalistic acting gave the character real heart. There was a quiet confidence to her performance that made her utterly compelling to watch. Katie is a stunning young performer and a genuine pleasure to watch on stage; every scene she appeared in felt elevated by her presence. Her portrayal of Patrice was thoughtful, heartfelt and exceptionally well realised.
Dominic Smith was excellent as Archie, delivering impeccable comic timing, strong vocals and a wonderfully entertaining performance full of personality. He brought tremendous humour to the role, but also warmth and sincerity, ensuring Archie was far more than comic relief. His timing was sharp, his character work assured and his stage presence impossible to ignore. Dominic proved himself a wonderful all-round performer, balancing acting, vocals and comedic flair with great skill. He was consistently engaging to watch and brought enormous energy to every scene he was in, making Archie one of the standout performances of the evening.
Eden Hamilton brought grace and innocence to Kendra, capturing the role’s sweetness beautifully and Sebastian Millrine made a standout impression as an actor, showing professionalism and commitment that elevated every moment he was on stage.
Beyond the principals, this was a true ensemble triumph. The cheerleaders – an accomplished team of eight, performed with precision and flair, while the larger geek ensemble brought huge energy, humour and heart, making the world of the show feel full and authentic. Every cast member contributed to a production that felt wholesome, cohesive and bursting with youthful talent.
Musically, the show soared. Numbers such as ‘The Lamest Place in the World’, ‘Get Me What I Need’, ‘Good Enough’, ‘Being a Geek’ and ‘Tell Her’ were delivered with polish and infectious enthusiasm. The smooth, slick harmonies were a particular highlight, while the live orchestra added richness and drive, enhancing the production enormously.
Visually, the staging was simple yet versatile, allowing fluid scene changes and keeping focus on storytelling. The lighting and technical elements were highly effective, and the choreography was sleek, unified and captivating, full of youthful dynamism while remaining disciplined and polished.
What continues to amaze about Manchester Musical Youth is the extraordinary standard they achieve time and again. Every production feels professional, carefully crafted and bursting with passion. That is a testament not only to the dedication of the young performers, but to the relentless work of Dave and Kimberly Holden and their creative team, whose guidance clearly nurtures both excellence and confidence in these future stars.
And future stars they certainly are. What makes productions like this so exciting is seeing young people, many still of high-school age already displaying the talent, discipline and charisma of seasoned performers. These are the theatre-makers and performers of tomorrow, and several on this stage looked destined for remarkable futures.
The audience’s reaction said it all. Packed with proud parents, family and friends, the auditorium responded warmly throughout, embracing the humour, heart and energy of the piece. It was a genuine crowd-pleaser – funny, witty, touching and underpinned by strong moral themes that resonate well beyond adolescence.
This was a joyful, polished and deeply impressive production that proved once again why Manchester Musical Youth never ceases to astonish. Under the inspired guidance of Kimberly and Dave Holden, these young performers delivered a show full of heart, humour and huge promise.
A triumphant celebration of youth theatre – vibrant, honest and performed to a wonderfully high standard.
Reviewer: Katie Leicester
Reviewed: 22nd April 2026
North West End UK Rating: