Theatre Review - Next to Normal
Caissie Levy as Diana Goodman in Next to Normal [Marc Brenner]
WHEN Next to Normal premiered on Broadway in 2010 it won three Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. The show enjoyed a sold-out run at the Donmar Warehouse last year, garnering further accolades, before arriving in the West End for the summer.
Suburban housewife Diana Goodman (Caissie Levy) appears to be happily married to Dan (Jamie Parker) with two healthy kids, Gabe (Jack Wolfe) and Natalie (Eleanor Worthington-Cox). But the reality for this ordinary American family is very different.
Diana is living with bipolar disorder and is haunted by a past trauma. This bittersweet musical (score by Tom Kitt, book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey) explores her debilitating sense of loss, her struggle to regain her mental health and the emotional fallout on her family.
When Diana reaches crisis point her doctors (both played by Trevor Dion Nicholas) prescribe a cocktail of pills and talking therapy. After these treatments fail, Diana is given electro-compulsive therapy with devastating results.
I thought using music to tell a difficult story that includes mental illness, drug abuse, grief and loneliness, would jar. But the array of songs, encompassing rock and jazz, fiery numbers and tender ballads, serve to illuminate the tough, sometimes complex themes, and Yorkey wisely avoids a saccharine ending.
Levy’s understated performance is utterly credible, conveying by turn vulnerability, anguish and resignation. Her gorgeous vocals are matched by the tight, supporting cast. All are given the opportunity to shine in this compelling musical including Natalie’s boyfriend Henry (Jack Ofrecio) who completes the ensemble.
Chloe Lamford’s versatile two-tier set transports us from home to hospital, school and doctor’s office as well as housing six musicians. Michael Longhurst’s elegant production entertains and moves in equal measure.
Recommended.
Until September 21