Review: Who Let the Gods Out, Polka Theatre

Based on the first four books of Maz Evans’ hugely popular Who Let The Gods Out / God Squad series, Polka Theatre’s new production delivers a zippy, if too hurried, sweep through their epic storyline. With book and lyrics by Evans and music by Luke Bateman, this is classic, old-fashioned musical theatre, albeit stuffed with contemporary gags. It feels as if we have seen this all before, but I guess familiarity is comfortable.

We get mockery of Theresa May’s dancing, a sly nod to a certain lettuce-like Prime Minister, TikTok references, the joys of shopping at Primark with a birthday gift card, Elon Musk and, because this is firmly pitching at easy audience engagement, a whole constellation of bums, poo and panto-style innuendo.

But at its heart lies something more tender. Elliott Hooper’s life (played by Andy Owen) is, as he might put it, “highly suboptimal”. His mum is unwell and drowning in farm debt, his predatory neighbour is circling, and he has unleashed an evil death daemon into the world. Elliott keeps things afloat with beans on toast every night and cheerful fibs about how his day’s been in class, while quietly carrying far too much for one schoolboy. And like in all fairytales featuring the underdog, the misunderstood, the invisible one, he really does have a positive life ahead if only he can get past those demons, plotters and those whose own greed and selfishness just require swatting him aside like a fly buzzing around a cow pat. Apt enough, given there is plenty of that in his cowshed, where a Friesian cow bobs and nods his head in wig and playful party hat, much to the audience’s delight.

Cue the crash-landing of Virgo (Nadia Wyn Abouayen) into this dung heap and the arrival of a gloriously dysfunctional band of ancient Greek gods. They’re vain, macho, dodgy and silly; a smorgasboard of stereotypes played, like all the other characters we meet on the way, with gusto by a skillful, multi-rolling cast (Harriet O’Grady, Jazz Evans, Stephan Boyce) who sing with real power, polish, playful enthusiasm, cheeky looks and delineated character work. When the pretty predictable script allows space for stillness, they grasp it; the most affecting moments come when Elliott’s vulnerability is met by his mother’s love, gently reminding us what’s actually at stake.

Visually, it’s often a treat, and in particular the costumes, by Katie Lias, are to die for. A standout theatrical flourish sees Zeus’s discarded wedding veils transformed into Pegasus. But such invention is frustratingly rare. Too often the staging feels static, the direction deliberate rather than dynamic, the storytelling congested. The script is over-complicated and occasionally confusing, leaning so heavily into slapstick and knowing references that it underserves the emotional depth and mythic resonance the books offer. This is a play, when you can see it, about poor mental well-being and the impact this can have upon a child carer. Sadly, this is skirted over too easily.

Still, if you’re after ninety minutes of slapstick musical mayhem, with a bit of “bish, bash, boom” and a queen gleefully singing about “kicking your butt”, this will tick the box. Billed for ages 8–13, it feels very, very much aimed at the younger end of that spectrum. Entertaining, energetic and occasionally touching, but you can’t help wishing it trusted its story just a little more.

Book and Lyrics by Maz Evans
Music by Luke Bateman
Directed by Ria Parry
Set and Costume Design by Katie Lias
Musical Director: Luke Bateman
Sound Design and Engineering by Martin Wiggins
Lighting Design by Nic Farman
Dramaturg by Ria Parry
Fight Captains: Harriet O’Grady & Stephan Boyce
Stage Manager: Katie Bingham
Assistant Stage Manager: Africa Blagrove
Stage Management Placement: Heather Trevelyan
Costume Assistant: Natalie Tiger Hawkins
Costume Maker: Rachel Perry
Set Construction by Mark Bramfitt of Basement 94
Scenic Painter: Fani Parali
Prop Maker: Michael Douglas

Who Let the Gods Out plays at Polka Theatre until Sunday 22 March.