REVIEW
A Fintastic New Musical
ANGRY SALMON
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
written by Jordan Paul Clarke and Ali James
London: Bridewell Theatre
4 August 2023 to Sun 6 August 2023
A Fintastic New Musical
ANGRY SALMON
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
written by Jordan Paul Clarke and Ali James
London: Bridewell Theatre
4 August 2023 to Sun 6 August 2023
Angry Salmon is a brand new musical written by Jordan Paul Clarke and Ali James with choreography by Jocelyn Prah. The show is set in a big cartoonish underworld and, as you take your seat in the auditorium at London’s dark and intimate Bridewell Theatre, tucked just behind Fleet Street, you almost get the sense that you could well and truly have been submerged into an underwater world.
The ‘angry salmon’ of the title are the inhabitants of a thriving salmon farm. The Mayor, Mr Di-Carprio is in charge as they go about their daily lives attempting to bulk up enough to get picked by the humans above at Utopia Enterprises and supposed freedom from their tank. However, the Mayor’s eldest daughter, Leo, has other ideas. She’s not happy living life in the tank and when the other salmon realise that Utopia is not all they imagined, she hatches a plan to escape, taking the others with her, although some, including her father, rather reluctantly.
As the salmon escape the confines of their tank, the staging is pulled back to cleverly reveal clearer and more vast waters for them to explore. It’s actually a pretty emotional moment as they realise their world has just become a whole new adventure. They meet other inhabitants along the way, who can aide them on their journey, and also help them in an attempt to thwart the maniacal leader of the fish farmers, Sheila Musk and her zany group of scientists who are on a mission to re-capture the salmon.
The age range of the cast in this production is from just 14 years old to 21 years old and each one of these youngsters show a tremendous amount of talent. The songs in the production are not only brilliant and cleverly written, they also sound like they could have come from any leading West End musical around right now. The musical arrangements are amazing and every number really resonates to the moment, with great tunes and climactic endings.
Costumes are simple but effective and the accompanying choreography is also wonderfully effective and powerful. Just as real salmon swim together, this cast of performers almost merge together as one as they swirl around the the stage creating wonderful rhythmic patterns to the musical beat.
There are no cast names next to parts in the programme, so I can’t name check individuals. That said, the roles of Leo and her sister, Finn, are played beautifully. Leo has the opportunity to really showcase some of the amazing songs in this production and does so brilliantly. The Clam Quartet, aka the Clamdrew Sisters also stand out with Clamella attacking her songs with some really mature vocals and I loved the fighting Scottish Swordfish who have some great comedy moments. The sea lions get to perform individually, and also as an ensemble piece in a great number providing some wonderful harmonies here too.
It has to be noted that one of the great show stopping moments in this production is the first appearance of a character who initially appears to be a contender for Ru Paul’s Drag Race, until you realise that this is the Utopia boss, Sheila Musk, with yellow hair styled in a sharp bob and dressed head to toe in bright pink, reminiscent of an evil Penelope Pitstop (for those old enough to remember). Fabulously performed, the actor playing this role has fully embraced the character with an utterly outrageous portrayal, complete with a dastardly evil, yet hilarious, laugh. "That's funny!" This is one of the best baddie roles I’ve come across in a long while.
Will the salmon and their new friends defeat the Utopia boss? You'll have to grab a ticket to find out, I couldn't possibly spoil the ending.
You can't help but find yourself fully invested in all of the characters in this production throughout its one act 90 minute run. With its catchy show tunes, plenty of laugh out loud moments and stunning dance routines, you can’t fail but get swept along with the tide of intrigue and excitement that this show delivers. Whether you take it at face value or as a metaphor for the modern corporate and digital world we find ourselves in, there’s a message that everyone can take home with them, regardless of whether you’re 6 or 96 years old.
The subject of Angry Salmon may seem a little random for a musical at first, but it really is rather relevant. It certainly reeled me in and unequivocally has the potential to be a very big catch.
Don’t miss this brilliant new musical!
Review: Kim Tobin
The ‘angry salmon’ of the title are the inhabitants of a thriving salmon farm. The Mayor, Mr Di-Carprio is in charge as they go about their daily lives attempting to bulk up enough to get picked by the humans above at Utopia Enterprises and supposed freedom from their tank. However, the Mayor’s eldest daughter, Leo, has other ideas. She’s not happy living life in the tank and when the other salmon realise that Utopia is not all they imagined, she hatches a plan to escape, taking the others with her, although some, including her father, rather reluctantly.
As the salmon escape the confines of their tank, the staging is pulled back to cleverly reveal clearer and more vast waters for them to explore. It’s actually a pretty emotional moment as they realise their world has just become a whole new adventure. They meet other inhabitants along the way, who can aide them on their journey, and also help them in an attempt to thwart the maniacal leader of the fish farmers, Sheila Musk and her zany group of scientists who are on a mission to re-capture the salmon.
The age range of the cast in this production is from just 14 years old to 21 years old and each one of these youngsters show a tremendous amount of talent. The songs in the production are not only brilliant and cleverly written, they also sound like they could have come from any leading West End musical around right now. The musical arrangements are amazing and every number really resonates to the moment, with great tunes and climactic endings.
Costumes are simple but effective and the accompanying choreography is also wonderfully effective and powerful. Just as real salmon swim together, this cast of performers almost merge together as one as they swirl around the the stage creating wonderful rhythmic patterns to the musical beat.
There are no cast names next to parts in the programme, so I can’t name check individuals. That said, the roles of Leo and her sister, Finn, are played beautifully. Leo has the opportunity to really showcase some of the amazing songs in this production and does so brilliantly. The Clam Quartet, aka the Clamdrew Sisters also stand out with Clamella attacking her songs with some really mature vocals and I loved the fighting Scottish Swordfish who have some great comedy moments. The sea lions get to perform individually, and also as an ensemble piece in a great number providing some wonderful harmonies here too.
It has to be noted that one of the great show stopping moments in this production is the first appearance of a character who initially appears to be a contender for Ru Paul’s Drag Race, until you realise that this is the Utopia boss, Sheila Musk, with yellow hair styled in a sharp bob and dressed head to toe in bright pink, reminiscent of an evil Penelope Pitstop (for those old enough to remember). Fabulously performed, the actor playing this role has fully embraced the character with an utterly outrageous portrayal, complete with a dastardly evil, yet hilarious, laugh. "That's funny!" This is one of the best baddie roles I’ve come across in a long while.
Will the salmon and their new friends defeat the Utopia boss? You'll have to grab a ticket to find out, I couldn't possibly spoil the ending.
You can't help but find yourself fully invested in all of the characters in this production throughout its one act 90 minute run. With its catchy show tunes, plenty of laugh out loud moments and stunning dance routines, you can’t fail but get swept along with the tide of intrigue and excitement that this show delivers. Whether you take it at face value or as a metaphor for the modern corporate and digital world we find ourselves in, there’s a message that everyone can take home with them, regardless of whether you’re 6 or 96 years old.
The subject of Angry Salmon may seem a little random for a musical at first, but it really is rather relevant. It certainly reeled me in and unequivocally has the potential to be a very big catch.
Don’t miss this brilliant new musical!
Review: Kim Tobin
Performance Times
Fri 4 Aug 2023 7.30PM
Sat 5 Aug 2023 2.30PM
Sat 5 Aug 2023 7.30PM
Sun 6 Aug 2023 1.30PM
Sun 6 Aug 2023 4.30PM
https://britishyouthmusictheatre.org/shows/angry-salmon-0
Fri 4 Aug 2023 7.30PM
Sat 5 Aug 2023 2.30PM
Sat 5 Aug 2023 7.30PM
Sun 6 Aug 2023 1.30PM
Sun 6 Aug 2023 4.30PM
https://britishyouthmusictheatre.org/shows/angry-salmon-0