13 Going On 30 – The Musical, Opera House, Manchester

Book: Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa

Music: Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner

Lyrics: Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner

Director: Andy Fickman

For a certain generation, the mere mention of the title of this brand new musical needs will cite childhood memories, joy and maybe even a little squeak of excitement. For those unfamiliar with the iconic 00’s teen rom com, the story focuses on young Jenna Rink. After getting humiliated on her 13th birthday party, Jenna makes a wish that she could skip her awkward teen years and be, “30, flirty and thriving”, only to wake up the next morning as her 30 year old self.

This adaptation comes with great credentials, retaining the original film’s writers (Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith). With 2004’s star Jennifer Garner on board as Executive Producer, it seems a safe bet that the stage production is going to have the same vitality and joy as it’s film counterpart, even if it’s had a sprinkle of magical dust and woke up 21 years later in 2025.

Lucie Jones glitters as Jenna Rink, capturing our hearts as a wide-eyed young girl clumsily occupying her future adult body complete with responsibilities and “incredible boobs”. A youth company with immeasurable spark, energy and talent fizzes at the show’s centre with stand out performances from Max Bispham (young Matt) and Emmeline D’arcy Walsh (Becky) who both demonstrate a craft and presence way beyond their years.

Where the show splutters is it’s inability to capture the magic and gentle poignancy of it’s predecessor. Quiet moments of realisation in the film are hammered home with gusto in the musical. Underlying themes of the passing of time, being the same person inside and reclaiming childhood joy are repackaged time and again in lengthy musical numbers that start to feel somewhat repetitive. Jenna’s adult boyfriend also has a cartoonish ‘Canadian’ accent, the use of which is eked out a touch too far. While this skit may be performed to uproarious applause to a North American audience, it fails to land squarely in a UK auditorium.

This adaptation also adopts an ambiguous era, contrary to the film which saw 13 year old Jenna rocking a late 80s permed fringe and 30 year old Jenna sporting the equally questionable styles of the early 00’s. An intentional choice by director Fickman in a bid to appeal more universally to audiences, those attending with hopes of nostalgic cultural throwbacks to their own youth may leave somewhat disappointed.

A joyful, upbeat and tightly executed production hampered mostly by the inextricable ghost of it’s well-beloved predecessor. 13 Going on 30 is a fun night at the theatre and a great showcase of talent, but don’t go expecting the film you loved when you were a teenager.

Runs until 12th October