Sea Change – Birmingham Hippodrome

Book: Will Jackson

Music: Elinor Peregrin

Lyrics: Will Jackson and Elinor Peregrin

Director: Will Jackson

Sea Change is the kind of new musical that reminds us why new musical theatre is so important. Enchanting, energetic and brimming with heart, British Youth Music Theatre’s latest production sweeps its audience away to the fictional coastal village of Blackwater Cove, where a tight-knit community is upended by the sudden arrival of eight mystical selkies. Beneath its fantastical story and folk-inspired score, Sea Change asks some surprisingly poignant questions about belonging, identity and the courage it takes to step into the unknown.

The production is one of six new musicals being premiered across the UK by British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) in 2026. Dedicated to giving young people aged 11–21 the opportunity to create and perform new musical theatre, BYMT brings together young performers and professional creative teams to develop ambitious new work. Written by Will Jackson and Elinor Peregrin, Sea Change draws on the folklore of the selkie to tell a story of community, belonging and change.

The story centres on eight young selkies, given just one week on land before they must choose between becoming human or returning to the sea forever. Disguising themselves as volunteers from a neighbouring town, they soon become entangled in the lives of Blackwater Cove’s colourful residents, from eccentric business owners and suspicious locals to a hapless mayor and his overworked assistant. Among them is Isla, a teenager struggling with her own sense of belonging as her family faces losing their home in the village’s famous lighthouse.

What really impresses in this production is that every performer gets their moment in the spotlight, and despite an eighty-minute runtime and a cast of thirty-six, the characters feel remarkably fleshed out and believable. Admittedly, the sheer number of stories being told means that some feel a little rushed, with certain relationships and storylines deserving more time to develop. There is a sense that, given a longer runtime, Sea Change could delve even further into the lives of its characters and the world it has created.

Picking out individual standouts is no easy task when the entire cast brings something so distinctive to the stage. There is plenty of impressive comedic talent among the company, with notable mentions going to Will O’Brien’s curmudgeonly museum owner Cameron Copralite, Millie Whale’s mysterious fortune teller Mags, and Serin Kim’s sharply dressed shopkeeper Sammi Fitz. The solo numbers showcase some genuinely beautiful vocals, with Sofia Boothroyd and Eiry Shi really shining in their solos, while Ella McFetrich puts in an earnest and endearing performance as Isla. More than anything, it is the consistency of the performances that stands out: every young performer feels confident, committed and completely at home on stage. For such a young company, the overall standard is remarkably high.

The cast makes light work of Eleanor Rattenbury’s cleverly structured choreography, which ensures that, even in a cast of thirty-six, every performer has their moment while the dance numbers remain dynamic and full of energy. A particular highlight is the rousing sea shanty, where the full company launches into a spirited but intricate jig.

Meanwhile, Lighting Designer Catja Hamilton brings the stage to life with lighting in various hues of blue and green that feels both oceanic and slightly ethereal. A real standout moment is the impressive shadow puppetry scene, where the history of Blackwater Cove and the villagers’ conflict with the selkies unfolds across a white cloth illuminated by a kaleidoscope of changing colours. The set by Kritika Agarwal makes clever use of relatively simple elements to create a vibrant and recognisable world for the characters to inhabit, while the costumes add plenty of personality, with each character’s appearance helping to establish the eccentric village community.

The score is one of Sea Change’s real strengths. Composed by Elinor Peregrin with lyrics by Peregrin and Jackson and orchestrated by Musical Director Sarah Morrison, it moves effortlessly between rousing sea shanties, tender mother-daughter ballads and infectious ensemble numbers. There is a wonderful variety to the music, capturing both the playful energy of Blackwater Cove and the more poignant moments of the story. It is a score that manages to be both wonderfully catchy and genuinely moving.

Overall, Sea Change is a thoroughly joyful night at the theatre, with an ambitious new musical brought to life by a company that clearly relishes every moment of it. At eighty minutes, the production is short and sweet, and some of its storylines would benefit from more room to breathe, but there is so much to admire in what Jackson, Peregrin and this young company have created. It is the kind of production that sends you out of the theatre with a smile and a welcome reminder of just how exciting the next generation of musical theatre can be.

Runs until 30 August 2026