13 Going on 30 The Musical

West End favourites headline the cast, with Lucie Jones taking on the lead role of Jenna Rink. Jones convincingly portrays the 30-year-old who is still very much a 13-year-old at heart, capturing the character’s innocence and confusion with genuine authenticity. Having been part of the earlier workshops, it’s clear she has grown comfortably into the role. David Hunter joins the cast as Matt Flamhaff, Jenna’s next-door neighbour and childhood friend. Though new to the project, Hunter admits he signed on partly because of his strong chemistry with Jones. Their onstage connection is natural, no doubt helped by their previous work together and offstage friendship, adding depth to their performances.

Grace Mouat shines in every role she takes on, and this performance is no exception. Lucy is Jenna’s best friend who also works at Poise magazine. However, her character doesn’t quite get the opportunity to fully unleash a more dramatic or villainous side, leaving her considerable talent somewhat underutilized in this production. Caleb Roberts delivers a solid performance as Richard, the demanding and often over-the-top boss of Poise magazine, bringing a lively energy to the role. Dominic Anderson appears as Alex, Jenna’s boyfriend, though the character is underdeveloped and relies mostly on his physical presence rather than having much depth. Jenna Innes plays Wendy, Matt’s girlfriend whom he plans to marry and move away with, but the character is underused, appearing briefly in just one fleeting scene before disappearing from the story.

The cast is supported by two talented teams of child actors—Team 13 and Team 30—aptly named for their roles. These young performers shine, confidently leading the show’s opening 15 minutes and appearing throughout in various scenes. Each time, they impressively match the talent of their older counterparts. Max Bispham, especially, brings a natural ease to the role of young Matt. Given the strength of the young cast, it's surprising how little time is spent developing Jenna as a 13-year-old. Her magical transformation into a 30-year-old woman feels underwhelming—reduced to a clunky blanket switch that lacks impact.

Colin Richmond’s set design was engaging, complemented by George Reeves’ effective video design, which used moving frames and projections to evoke different locations, from the Poise magazine headquarters to Jenna’s New York apartment. Despite the many scene changes, the simple set paired with the video elements made transitions clear and seamless. Gabriela Tylesova’s costume design was bright and appealing for the most part. However, Jenna’s silver cocktail dress at the boujee corporate party felt unrealistic for a 30-year-old, and somewhat inconsistent, especially since other characters are seen using smartphones, which suggests a more modern setting. That said, the nostalgic dress from the film also makes an appearance, adding a nice nod to longtime fans.