Book: Jon Brittain
Music: Matthew Floyd Jones
Lyrics: Jon Brittain and Matthew Floyd Jones
Director: Jon Brittain and Fabian Aloise
It’s surely a new golden age for the stage musical, and Kathy & Stella Solve A Murder! pretty much has everything that sums up why. It successfully takes a current popular, if unlikely theme, brings together a brilliant cast that can belt out the musical numbers, and delivers hilarious, snappy lyrics.
Hull girls Kathy and Stella, buddies since primary school, bonded by their shared weirdness, are going nowhere. They have two things in their lives – each other and their true crime podcast which they record in Kathy’s mum’s cellar, scheduled around when the washing machine isn’t on. With a handful of listeners, they dream of a time when they will hit the big time, like true crime writer and local hero Felicia Taylor. When they suddenly get personally involved in a real-life murder case, it promises to be the making – or breaking – of them as celebrity podcasters, and as best friends.
It’s impressive that just seven actors and four musicians can make a show that feels this big and gutsy. In fact, nothing is skimped on, even the set (Cecilia Carey) is huge and impressive. Versatile set blocks and wheely furniture (from office chairs to a morgue gurney) niftily transform the stage, vast neon backdrops and great lighting design (Peter Small) make for a visual treat. Creative costume design and a whole load of quick changes add to the sense that there’s more actors than there really are, and while those doubling-ups are brilliantly played for laughs the talented cast manage to create well-rounded and convincing characters. TJ Lloyd switches from jolly morgue technician to creepy murder suspect, Jodie Jacobs from police inspector to celebrity writer (and multiple members of her family).
If the show lacks any memorable killer tunes (the audience should come out of any musical with an earworm but that doesn’t really happen here), it makes up for it with some wonderfully funny, smart lyrics. There’s a whiff of some of the very best musical comedy here – think Gilbert & Sullivan or Little Shop of Horrors – in some of the clever rhymes, while the contemporary language – and well-placed swearing – create some unexpected and hugely enjoyable moments. It’s all delivered through big musical numbers with live music from the on-stage band – two keyboards, drums and guitar – that make for way more than the sum of their parts. Add to that some striking vocal performances (the whole cast are great but massive credit should go to Bonté Barbé as Kathy, Rebekah Hinds as Stella, and Jodie Jacobs as Felicia) and you have a belting sound throughout that never loses its high energy levels.
What really makes Kathy & Stella a hit, though, is the comedy. The cast take the sharply written text and deliver it with hilarious comic performances. Bonté Barbé has pin-sharp timing and wrings every last drop out of the Hull accent, but the big laughs are for Imelda Warren-Green as Erica whose physical comedy is an absolute joy to watch.
This is a show that wouldn’t be out of place in the West End, punching way above its weight and offering something that feels fresh and contemporary. It deserves to be a big hit – but be one of the first and see it now in Manchester!
Runs until 21 October 2023
The Reviews Hub Score
hilarious, smart, an absolute joy
