Review: The Karate Kid: The Musical at Sunderland Empire
Another iconic film turned musical, and yet another success
And now, we have The Karate Kid: The Musical.
I was a bit apprehensive to begin with, begging the question – does every film need to be a musical? After seeing the musical adaptations of Legally Blonde and Beetlejuice (two iconic films) recently, I felt hopeful that this would follow suit in the success of these incredible stage shows. And oh boy… it did!
With a clever mix of both karate and dancing, and emotional original songs that grip you, this musical is the whole package. It keeps its ‘80s charm too, with heavy use of synthesisers and traditional Okinawan folk music creating the perfect atmosphere to bring the film to life.
This tour marks Gino Ocello’s debut on a professional stage. At 19 years old, he has taken on the huge role of main character Daniel LaRusso and has been on a worldwide tour, solidifying his name in the musical world.
Act one is very song heavy, setting us up for both the plot and the karate training. The transition from Daniel chatting to his mum at work to the Cobra Kai dojo is fantastic. As you are absorbed mid conversation the lights go out then turn a dramatic red. Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy. An absolutely incredible scene – 10/10, no notes!
Matt Mills perfectly executes the complexities of ruthless Sensei (with trauma from being a soldier in the Vietnam War manifesting within) to portray a vicious, violent character, and a stand out for me is Sharon Sexton who plays Lucille LaRusso, Daniel’s Mum. She absolutely blows me away with her effortless vocals and comedic charm. Her ballad, If I Could Take His Pain Away, brings tears to my eyes as she captures the whole theatre.
You would think the actors themselves were karate trained with moves like theirs but Isaac J Lewis (in the ensemble) is the only black belt-trained member of the cast. The ensemble (who act as the ‘good’ side of karate) make this show. The song Balance shows off their talent and creates a dynamic, mesmerising scene, representing the deeper meaning of karate.
A very fun watch, time seems to fly by – all the scenes are the perfect length and the songs feel natural, not just put in for the sake of it. So if you fancy a bit of karate and ‘80s nostalgia, this is perfect for the whole family, not just musical fanatics.
Now I am fresh with the knowledge of how to become a Karate Master (I’ll let you know when I get around to it).
Wax On. Wax Off.
