Edwin Ray, David Michael Johnson, Iona Fraser, Kim Healey, Rakesh Boury and Eloise Davies in The Creakers at the Southbank Centre, London. Picture: Pamela Raith Photography
The Creakers Musical was reviewed at the Southbank Centre, London.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
‘Wow’ is not a word I have ever attributed to a musical aimed at children. Creakers is the first stage show I’ve seen which ticks all the boxes of musical theatre excellence. Combining bounce and bright, spectacular fun with an important message, it’s clever and cutting edge.
Everything is spot on: Rory Beaton’s lighting, Andrew Exeter’s design, direction and choreography from Tom Jackson Greaves, costumes, puppets, the band – they all hit the gold standard.
Tom Fletcher’s music sews the show’s fabric together seamlessly with exciting and toe-tapping numbers. He is a genius in his delivery of an easy listening score that appeals to all. It’s the heartbeat of the show, performed by a band which is unexpectedly revealed thanks to a delightful piece of staging.
There is no weak link in the cast, all the actors are remarkable, boasting strong voices and great presence. However, if forced to spotlight one performer, it would be Rakesh Boury (Larry/Creaker King) who has a sparkle I shall not forget.
Creakers has modern day morals rumbling subtly throughout (‘we are all different and yet the same’). Well done to everyone involved in staging this captivating production, and congratulations to Fletcher and writer Miranda Larson for the concept, score and adaptation.
Laura-Jane Wareing
The Creakers has a simple concept yet captivating story. Through all its magic and wonder, you can clearly see and understand the moral of the story – that everyone is different in their own unique way, but all together we are as one… The show also highlights the importance of recycling and helping our climate to be a better place.
This is the perfect show for a family with kids over the age of six, featuring a diverse, inspiring mix of dance (Tom Jackson Greaves and assistant choreographer Maiya Leeke) and lots of catchy songs by Tom Fletcher, bringing a joyous, light air to the show.
It has a vibe so lifelike and real, yet full of dance and song. Imagine a stage with a whimsical set-up: little houses lit up and the sun and clouds made from plastic bottles, floating gently overhead – and then all of a sudden a dark, dingy setting full of misery.
The actors are capable of changing the feel of the setting by simply changing their expressions. From incredibly realistic yet funny monster costumes, to pretty pink bows, the costumes that the talented Ryan Dawson Laight has made are lifelike. I can’t help but mention Rakesh Boury, as Larry. His acting and singing really set the scene, almost convincing me that ‘the Creakers’ were real and lightening the show with his smile.
Overall, with the lighting perfectly done by Rory Beaton, creating a cute yet incredible effect and the surreal ‘creaking’ sound effects created by Alexandra Braithwaite, startling everyone in the crowd – this show is capable of making you taste, sense and imagine, not only the scene, but what being different and helping our planet is all about.
Ariella Willow Wareing (age 11)
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