Review: Next To Normal, Wyndham’s Theatre

Review: Next To Normal, Wyndham’s Theatre

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

This thought-provoking musical examines a family’s reaction to grief, expertly portraying the sensation of losing control.

Next to Normal revolves around an average American family dealing with mental health issues, loss and grief. Set in a quiet, suburban town, the majority of the action takes place in the family kitchen, representing the often unseen yet prevalent domestic issues in households.

Mother and wife, Diana (played by the incomparable Caissie Levy), is living with bipolar disorder and has been prescribed a myriad of pills by her Doctor (Trevor Dion Nicholas). They both sing about the various combinations of tablets she has to take in ‘Who’s Crazy/ My Psychopharmacologist and I’: “The round blue ones with food but not with the oblong white ones, the white ones with the round yellow ones but not the trapezoidal green ones.” The list goes on.

Yet, despite using the bottles of pills as maracas during a dance break impressively choreographed by Ann Yee, she tosses them down the kitchen sink after encouragement from her son, Gabe (Jack Wolfe). The blend of humour and gravity is perfectly balanced as the cast bursts onto stage through the kitchen fridge sporting big grins and white medical coats.

Diana has many uncomfortable conversations with her daughter, Natalie (Eleanor Worthington-Cox). In ‘Superboy and the Invisible Girl’ she says the heartbreaking line, “I love you as much as I can.” Her husband, Dan (Jamie Parker), is desperately trying to keep the family together whilst struggling immensely himself.

The cast’s voices blend well together, but it is Levy and Wolfe who dominate the audience’s attention. Their singing, both in their solos and duets, is exceptional and it would be a shame not to get a cast recording of this production.

The set lends itself to the show. There is a small revolving section on the stage which allows scenes to seamlessly change from kitchen to doctor’s office. Additionally, the mezzanine level where the band sits is effectively utilised. It’s divided into three sections, through which the cast walk through, giving the impression of upstairs bedrooms.

The second act delves into the consequences of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and Diana’s relationship with her husband and daughter is more strained than ever. She suffers from memory loss and during some of the songs performed, projections of pills, exposed film and brain scans light up the backdrop, reinforcing the differences between reality and hallucinations.

Next to Normal focuses mainly on Diana and her struggles, but there are additional sub-plots. For example, Natalie turns to dipping her hand into her mum’s medicine cabinet, often choosing Xanax for her nights out. Yet, this feels like a cliché and her drug issue is quickly resolved.

Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt’s musical explores all the complexities that come of medicating mental health issues and coping with trauma. The show possibly resonates more with an American audience who are knowledgeable about the powerful influence of pharmaceutical companies which constantly promote their medications to doctors and their patients. Next to Normal is certainly not a happy evening, but it demands attention.

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Music by: Tom Kitt
Book and Lyrics by: Brian Yorkey
Directed by: Michael Longhurst
Set and Costume Design by: Chloe Lamford
Movement, Choreography and Additional Direction by: Ann Yee
Lighting Design by: Lee Curran

Next To Normal plays at Wyndham’s Theatre until 21 September. Further information and tickets can be found here.