Writer/Director: Debbie Isitt
The world premiere of Military Wives the Musical at York Theatre Royal showcased a heartfelt, witty, and beautiful new British musical that left the audience deeply moved and thoroughly entertained. Based on the hit 2019 film and inspired by the true story of the Military Wives Choir, Debbie Isitt’s production captures the resilience, humour, and courage of women whose lives are defined by absence, fear, and unbreakable friendship.
The casting is spot-on, with every performer delivering vocals individually, and coming together to produce a sound that soars through the theatre — from rousing pop and rock numbers to heart-wrenching ballads that leave everyone reeling. The chemistry between the women is palpable, their quick-fire one-liners delivering genuine laugh-out-loud moments that beautifully balance the weight of the fear and worry that lurks in the corners of the story.
Each choir member has their own storyline, interwoven with the others, each given their moment, and song on stage to tell their story. The audience instantly warms to each of the characters, and this is testament to the talented cast that have brought them to life.
Kayla Carter as Faith shines in her role, with just the right amount of straight-laced naivete, and Emma Crossley is equally effective in her portrayal of Bex, who is struggling to conceive after a number of failed IVF rounds. Jessica Daley has perfect comic timing and a wealth of brilliant facial expressions when playing Jenny, mother of six who is desperately trying to hold it all together. Ashleigh Gray sings beautifully in a nuanced performance showing both vulnerability and strength as Terri. Alongside her Sydney Isitt-Ager does a great job of developing the character of Sarah throughout the musical as she gains in confidence, moving from lip synching mute to fully-fledged choir soloist.
Caroline Sheen and Rachael Wooding do a fantastic job as the Colonel’s wife Susannah who has the idea for a choir and the sassy Krissy, who hates ‘f******g choirs’ and is only attending as there’s ‘nowt else to do’. Some of the laugh out loud moments came from this pair, who are entirely at odds with each other initially, but who come together in a touching moment towards the end of the musical.
Choir leader Olive is brought to life brilliantly by Bobbie Little, who not only has a stunning voice, but also a real energy on stage. It is Olive who holds the choir together for the longest of times and nurtures each member, supporting them on their individual journeys. Little also does a mean Scottish accent when playing Paula, a soldier fighting on the front line leaving behind wife Bex.
Best supporting actor award needs to go to Stewart Wright for his portrayal of croc and sock wearing, Welsh welfare officer Seargeant Dave, or ‘David!’ as the wives frequently shouted at him. He was hilarious, both with his lines and his actions and stole the scene more than once.
The rest of the male cast members, all of whom are excellent, play very much a supporting role in this musical about an all-female choir, but they do it with style, grace and authenticity, doubling up occasionally where necessary and bringing some of the real drama to the production as the soldier-husbands away on tour. In particular, Adrian Hansel shone as Luke, with a voice like melted caramel that gave everyone goose bumps in the too short time the audience got to hear him sing.
Visually, the production is strong. The set and props are cleverly transformed into buses, mountains, and even a war zone, grounding the story in both domestic reality and the looming shadow of conflict. It’s inventive, seamless stagecraft that adds to the emotional intensity without overshadowing the performers. There is a moment in the second act where the stage is showered with poppy petals. It is utterly beautiful and totally befitting of the moment.
If there is a criticism, it’s that the show can feel almost relentless in its emotional pull — one poignant song follows another, leaving the audience utterly wrung out by the finale. Yet, that emotional weight is also what makes the story resonate so powerfully, honouring the heroes and heroines at its heart.
Ultimately, Military Wives is a joyous, moving celebration of female friendship and empowerment. It’s funny, it’s raw, and it’s a glorious reminder of the strength found in song and solidarity.
