Critics have given mixed reviews to the London premiere of the 2005 musical Little Women, based on Louisa May Alcott’s 1869 semi-autobiographical novel about the four March sisters. The creative team includes Allan Knee (book), Mindi Dickstein (lyrics), Jason Howland (music), Bronagh Lagan (direction), Leo Munby (music direction), Andy Collyer (orchestrations), Sarah Golding (choreography), Nik Corrall (sets, costumes), Ben M Rogers (lights), and Paul Gavin (sound). The Park Theatre’s Off West End production continues its limited engagement through December 19.
The cast features Hana Ichijo (Meg), Lydia White (Jo), Anastasia Martin (Beth), and Mary Moore (Amy), with Ryan Bennett (Prof. Bhaer), Sev Keoshgerian (Laurie), Bernadine Pritchett (Aunt March / Mrs Kirke), Brian Protheroe (Mr Laurence), Lejaun Sheppard (Mr Brooke), and Savannah Stevenson (Marmee).
Broadway World (Cindy Marcolina): The piece is sadly unmemorable, but the company give their best nonetheless. … Alcott’s is a well-oiled narrative. But paired with a forcefully conventional musical structure, unfortunately, it ends up making a piece of theatre that lacks novelty and excitement. Directed by Bronagh Lagan, the talent on stage is the best thing about it — with White being a force to be reckoned with as our beloved Jo. The show has more than a few lovely touches and visuals … but it’s not enough to build solid enthusiasm. … Ultimately, the musical still has the same issues as it did back in 2005 and the team don’t manage to turn the material around. 3 out of 5 stars.
Culture Whisper (Natashs Sutton Williams): At multiple points in the musical the songs come as a ponderous afterthought. … The musical cast are capable; they all consistently project energy on the stage, but there is something lacklustre about the whole production directed by Bronagh Lagan. Ultimately this comes down to the music. … It’s great to see the production has made real efforts to employ female creatives for a female-driven narrative. But the whole production feels flat. … All this being said, if you adore the story of Little Women, and are desperate for a palate cleanser from all the ills of the world, this might just be the sorbet you need. 3 out of 5 stars.
The Guardian (Emma John): Lagan’s production … is fired with charm, and it’s Jo’s relationship with her gentlest sister that’s most touchingly rendered. … The fact that a show that made its Broadway debut 16 years ago hasn’t made it to London sooner does, however, hint at a few problems. One is the narrative pacing. … The musical treatment, meanwhile, amplifies the source material’s sentimentality to the extent that it’s constantly threatening to push the needle into twee. … This is very much the musical of How Jo Became a Writer. And while White does a sterling job with it, it’s a shame that we don’t get more of the Little Women. 3 out of 5 stars.
Theatre Weekly (Greg Stewart): Knee’s sensitive adaptation follows the story of the four March sisters closely … and it moves at just the right pace to honour the novel, without feeling drawn out. … There’s a fine mix of peppy numbers alongside powerful ballads. … Translating one of the most famous books ever written into a full-length chamber musical is no easy task, but Little Women The Musical definitely succeeds. Partly due to its careful consideration of the original, and partly because of the eminently enjoyable score that provides deeper meaning to this elegantly staged production. 4 out of 5 stars.
What’s Onstage (Alun Hood): This may be the ultimate “nice” musical: the humour is gentle, there’s little dramatic conflict, the songs are pleasant … it’s all, well, just incredibly nice. … Despite the Herculean efforts of the excellent company … the central characters look a bit anaemic up next to the Six queens. … It’s worth a look for this cast and some sporadic moments of theatrical magic. Also, musical theatre completists are unlikely to want to miss it. It’s just not a terribly interesting show, and one can’t help but wish that all that talent had been lavished on something a bit more dynamic and worthwhile. It’s nice. 3 out of 5 stars.