American Idiot – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton & Touring

American Idiot continues at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton until 26 January 2019 and then on tour.

Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩ 

Green Day’s American Idiot epitomises the disenfranchised mentality that characterised the post 9/11 youth in the USA. Ten years on from the Broadway debut of the show, as well as the 15 since the release of the album on which it’s based, a lot has changed ­­– not least the audience attending these anniversary productions. Therein lies the greatest pitfall against which the show must struggle. It is somewhat hampered by a sense of datedness.

It’s not exactly a fault of the production, and certainly not a fault of the cast, that the key character, Johnny (Tom Milner), is no longer the avatar for punk American youth, in all its frustration and hopelessness, that he once was.

Much of the personality and humour that once seemed relatable now comes across as a bit alienating. Many of those things that were the every-day in the noughties have passed out of culture and of fashion and so do not resonate as they should.

This hamstrings the story, leaving us with an essentially unlikeable lead character. Johnny’s descent into the abyss of drugs and despair, while portrayed in an unflinching and very grounded way by Milner, is not so keenly felt as it may once have been.

The emotional thrust of the narrative, then, is propped up more by the major secondary characters. Both Tunny (Joshua Dowen) and Will (Samuel Pope) have stories imbued with ageless resonance. The desolate soldier and the struggling father and partner are roles packed with small moments that bring out poignant themes.

This, too, is where the production shines physically. Pope’s actual isolation onstage, situated above and away from the main action, really contributes emotion to his anguish in loneliness. Meanwhile, the clever combination of effects accompanying Dowen’s performance during the scenes of training and battle bring home the presence and impact of the war.

The performances themselves are strong all round. One particular scene depicting Johnny’s relationship with heroin is powerfully unsettling. The transformation from layabout to war vet is accomplished with subtlety and so too is the fall of an insecure father.

The destructive energy exuded by the wild ‘St Jimmy’ is a testament to both Luke Friend’s vocal and acting abilities. Each and every member of the cast plays their part well – even if that part is a difficult one to make work, whether it be the tough-to-like Johnny or the paper-thin ‘Whatsername’ (Sam Lavery).   

In truth, the fans of American Idiot as well as the wider group of Green Day fans are likely to enjoy this production hugely. Those who are already engaged with the attitude that informs the sentiment of the music will surely find much to like. The show assumes at least some knowledge of the music and of the story, it seems an outside viewer could get very lost, as well as that investment in the culture that it relies on. This is one for the enthusiasts.

Tom Martland