Disenchanted! – Lichfield Garrick Theatre

L-R Ashley New, Eliza Bowden, Roshaan Saulnier, Rosie Napper, Lois Glensiter and Jewelle Hutchinson in Disenchanted! at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Picture: Pamela Raith Photography

Disenchanted! was reviewed at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. The production can also be seen at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Off-Broadway cult hit Disenchanted! arrived at the Lichfield Garrick with enough glitter, bite and feminist fire to make even the most devoted fairy tale traditionalist rethink the idea of ‘happily ever after’.

This UK professional premiere proves that Dennis T Giacino and Fiely Matias’ irreverent musical has lost none of its sharpness since first appearing in New York over a decade ago. Instead, under the Garrick’s roof, the show felt as timely as ever, speaking directly to a modern audience eager for satire wrapped in powerhouse vocals and unapologetic humour. Frequently hilarious and unexpectedly thoughtful, this production balances camp comedy with genuine emotional honesty, resulting in an evening that is as entertaining as it is cleverly subversive.

Originally debuting Off-Broadway in 2014, Disenchanted! quickly developed an international following thanks to its playful dismantling of traditional princess mythology. The musical imagines a support group of fairy tale heroines reclaiming their narratives after years of sanitised retellings, allowing the various princesses to step into the spotlight and expose the frustrations hidden beneath their polished storybook images.

Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid and several others gather to vent their fury at the unrealistic ideals they have spent generations representing. Yet beneath the rapid-fire jokes and irreverent references lies depeer examinations of identity, body image, race, sexuality and autonomy without ever losing its comic momentum. Crucially, it avoids becoming preachy; the script remains self-aware enough to poke fun at itself while still making pointed observations about the expectations historically placed upon female characters.

Giacino’s score gleefully leaps between Broadway pastiche, pop balladry, cabaret and full-throttle diva anthem, often within the same sequence. The lyrics are undeniably witty, packed with clever rhymes and razor-sharp punchlines, and several numbers deliberately parody classic Disney-style musical conventions before swerving into something much darker or cheekier, with great results. Even quieter moments work well, allowing emotional undercurrents to emerge naturally amid the satire.

Daniel Buckroyd’s direction maintains a brisk pace throughout, ensuring the production never overdoes a joke or lingers too long on sentimentality. The result is a show that feels energetic, contemporary and joyfully unrestrained. The slick and visually playful staging embraces the show’s anarchic spirit in proper vaudevillian style, while the lighting design adds bursts of concert-style glamour during the larger musical numbers.

Sara Perks’ costume designs cleverly echo familiar princess iconography while adding some contemporary twists that underline the musical’s rebellious intentions. Each character is instantly recognisable, yet there is always something slightly off-kilter about the presentation, reinforcing the sense that these women are breaking free from the rigid expectations attached to them.

The cast are the absolute driving force behind why this musical works so well, and it really is a team effort with ‘Princess Power’ at the forefront. Lois Glenister is superb as Snow White, acting as both ringmaster and emotional anchor with commanding confidence and sparkling comic timing. Rosie Napper’s Cinderella balances frenetic insecurity and sarcasm beautifully, delivering some of the production’s funniest moments while also revealing genuine vulnerability beneath the surface.

Ashley New brings striking emotional depth to both Mulan and Pocahontas, and Jewelle Hutchinson delivers powerhouse vocals as the Princess Who Kissed the Frog. Roshaan Saulnier is an absurd delight as Sleeping Beauty and Badroulbadour/Jasmine, embracing the show’s camp theatricality with an infectious energy. And Eliza Bowden rounds out the ensemble magnificently, bringing warmth and phenomenal comic timing to Belle, Ariel and Rapunzel. Together, the six performers create an ensemble chemistry that feels effortless, each actress fully committed to the show’s blend of satire and sincerity.

Fresh, fabulous and fierce, Disenchanted! understands precisely what it wants to say, and knows just how to say it in the most entertaining way possible. A musical comedy that is riotously funny while also quietly empowering, beneath the glitter, sass and show-stopping vocals lies a surprisingly heartfelt celebration of individuality and self-determination.

This is a production packed with confidence, intelligence and a genuine love for all things Disney. Whether you’re a lifelong Disney devotee or simply a fan of sharp musical comedy with a powerful female focus, Disenchanted! offers a royally good night out.

Rob Bartley