50 First Dates The Musical
Based on the Happy Madison movie, 50 First Dates: The Musical by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen is currently debuting at The Other Palace in London and is certain to win over the hearts of London audiences.
This warm, romantic comedy has been sharply directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon and Mean Girls) and it’s clear that his guiding hand has been the spark behind many of its best moments. Balancing relatable physical comedy and emotion in a swift moving show, Nicholaw`s range of movements manage to give the space a new feel each time, even if the piece’s theme by contrast, is all about feeding repetition.
Fly Davis’s set and costume designs are smartly done. Nothing feels overwrought and there’s a light tropical fantasy to many of the scenes which matches well with the film. Complemented by just enough realism, (well as much realism as a musical can have before the characters inevitably bursting into song) the set feels almost 2D in a fun ´pop-up` style. Davis utilises the set in many ways, given a new life to much of the walls by rotating, folding or pulling down screens and blends with the show’s light-hearted nature.
The costume changes also do a lot of storytelling, helping with the smooth transitions. The show doesn’t drag during scene changes, which is important in a story where “every day” has to feel fresh again and again.
Visually, it’s a treat. The staging is inventive and lighting and projections transport you from tropical beaches to the everyday life of New York, with costumes capturing both the sun-washed whimsy and the everyday grit of the story. Aideen Malone’s lighting is thoughtfully playful, vivid when needed and subtle when the emotion requires it. From sunset hues to more intimate interiors, the lighting designs underscore the mood shifts without being too dramatic.
Being led by a dreamy, Disney-style opening, the pacing of the show is tight. Scenes rarely feel overlong and the show moves with a confidence that make the 1 Act of 1 hour 40 mins fly by. Comedy and heartbreak coexist beautifully; the show doesn’t shy away from either. At times, perhaps just an extra breath after a joke lands could be beneficial for the audience not to miss any of the following dialogue through the laughter.
Adam Fisher handles sound in a way that always keeps you connected — not just to the dialogue, but to the ambient detailing of the music. The orchestration (arranged by Matthew Jackson) and musical direction (Richard Beadle) are balanced; enabling the numbers to sound full and smooth. There’s clarity in quieter moments, which makes the louder, joyful peaks hit all the harder. The soundtrack was glowing with beautiful full harmonies from the cast, reverberating through the auditorium and straight into the heart of the listener and hearing the ensemble became a true highlight of the piece.
It’s relieving to see that the leads aren’t trying to impersonate the iconic movie stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, but instead, use the amusing script to find their own punchy portrayals.
Playing Lucy, is the luminous force that is Georgina Castle, known for her successful stints in Meal Girls and Elf. Her delicious acting is utterly endearing in a role wildly different from the Regina George we’ve recently become accustomed to. Alongside Castle, Josh St. Clair charms the crowd with his cool but slightly awkward take on Henry. St. Clair matches his co-star´s energy well and their chemistry crackles: you believe they could fall in love today, tomorrow, and every day after that.
Overall, this breakfast-paced new show is stacked high with sickly sweet moments and overall serving a whole lot of wholesome and might just have created the perfect recipe for a musical. The entire production feels polished, heartfelt, and endlessly charming. It’s exciting to think what’s next in store for 50 First Dates!
This show was reviewed on the 24th September 2025 at The Other Palace, London where it runs until the 16th November 2025. Tickets available here: 50 First Dates: The Musical - The Other Palace Theatre
Review written by Lauren Atkinson
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Photo credit: Pamela Raith
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