It’s hard to believe it’s 12 years since that shimmering colossus of stand-up comedy, Robin Williams, took his last bow leaving behind a staggering array of glorious movies from the much maligned “Popeye” to the profoundly moving, “Dead Poet’s Society.” Nearly everything he touched seemed to turn into comic gold and through it all shone a heart of honesty and truth. I remember watching his “Live from the Met” and being totally mesmerised by his charm, speed and humour. He was a good man and a hard act to follow. With “Aladdin” re-animating his celluloid turn on Broadway (running, it seems, forever) it’s only reasonable his other major film favourite should also receive the stage treatment – “Mrs Doubtfire.”
First a book by Anne Fine, then a family film hit directed by Chris Columbus and now a stage musical which appeared in 2019 with Rob McClure in the title role and those are big sling-backs to fill. Apparently, it went through a number of creatives backstage, but eventually the stage show proved a huge hit in America, Germany and even Brazil and now is touring the UK where is finds itself at the Birmingham Hippodrome for a season.
And what a delight it turns to be. I could be a curmudgeon and whinge about the second half flagging a tad in the farcical restaurant scene where the quick changes are not as swift as on film. How could they be? I could moan about the odd and superfluous anglo-centric references patched into the script – Aston Villa? Love Island? Nicola Sturgeon? Cleary with an intention of ingratiating itself with a British audience but its unnecessarily pandering and the high-ups should have more faith in the work and their cast who deliver a delightfully endearing rendition of the film with enough of the old to satisfy nostalgia and enough of the new to justify the ticket price.
The story unfolds with clarity and aplomb, and Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell’s book stands up better than Wayne Kirkpatrick songs which are cute and functional. Jerry Zaks direction is sold and inventive, but I suspect a little trimmed to suit touring requirements. The cast is excellent and each had a shining moment in the spotlight with especial kudos to Jairus McClanahan and Ryan Pidgin as the leading man’s make-up artist brothers who literally create Mrs Doubtfire. Kara Lily Hayworth has some stand out moments and owns the character of Miranda Hillard. And I’m so pleased to say Mrs Doubtfire is in very safe hands with Gabriel Vick who brings a fresh and unique slant to the character without forgetting it’s ancestry. It’s a performance pumped with energy, panache, vigour and great fun. For a fleeting moment I saw Robin looking down from way above the Golden Gate Bridge, winking at his legacy and saying, “You nailed it, kid!”
Reviewer: Peter Kinnock
Reviewed: 20th August 2026
North West End UK Rating: