Artistic references mixed with modern, which results in a hilariously silly show. Summary
Rating
Good
What do the Medici family, vaping and Marisa Tomei have in common? Nothing it would seem, but somehow Pop Off, Michelangelo!, a high camp, comedy musical, ties everything together. Set in Renaissance Italy, we are introduced to Michelangelo (Max Eade) and Leonardo da Vinci (Aidan MacColl) as childhood friends. Yet throughout the course of the 75-minute show, the friendship turns to rivalry.
After realising they both fancy the guy next door, Michelangelo and Leonardo swear to keep their sexuality a secret. They vow to be the straightest men at art school and attempt to earn divine forgiveness by becoming the greatest religious artists of all time.
The cast are excellent singers but Aoife Haakenson is superb as Mother (certainly an apt name). She takes on multiple roles and particularly shines singing ‘Pick Me Girl’. We hear a rather sincere song from Michelangelo, but the humour is still kept in. The slower, ballad-esque ‘Drawn to You’ is a sweet duet sung by MacColl and Kurran Dhand, who plays Salai; in “real life”, Leonardo’s suspected lover.
There is a running joke that Savonarola’s (Laura Sillett) costume is from Temu, and actually, some of the costumes do look like it, adding to the pantomime vibe. Michelangelo’s braces and Leonardo’s pastel pink ensemble are the best of the bunch, cleverly reflecting their personalities.
The stage design is impressive, designed by Joe McNeice, Emily Bestow and PJ McEvoy. Above a black and white chequered floor is a screen in the shape of a cloud. On it, several digital videos and images of Renaissance artwork are displayed. Columns turn into desks, seats and plinths, which keeps the transition of scenes slick. The lighting (Adam King) is equally sharp; used to divide the stage, reflect emotion and punctuate comedic beats, all with seamless precision.
Apart from dragging slightly in the middle, the musical is fairly well paced. The songs and dance sequences certainly help with this. The titular song is catchy enough, but occasionally rustling from the mics disrupted the experience. This will, no doubt, be resolved during the course of the run.
Pop Off, Michelangelo! ends rather suddenly and perhaps it could do with a mini interval halfway through. But the references are aplenty; expect Drag Race puns, Renaissance jokes, and iconic noughties moments, such as “On Wednesdays, they wear their family crest.” You do not need to be an art historian to pick up on the arty allusions, and anyway, I’m not too sure how accurate they are! This anachronistic show is a lot of fun: it’s high art blended with high camp.
Book, Music and Lyrics by Dylan Marcaurele
Directed by Joe McNeice
Choreography & Intimacy Director by Sundeep Saini
Costume designed by Emily Bestow
Lighting designed by Adam King
Set designed by Joe McNeice, Emily Bestow and PJ McEvoy
Pop Off, Michelangelo! plays at Underbelly Boulevard Soho until Sunday 13 July.
