The unique and eccentric musical Ride the Cyclone has arrived in London, bringing its peculiar charm to the Southwark Playhouse Elephant. This cult hit, which first emerged on the Canadian fringe theatre scene in 2009, offers audiences a rollercoaster ride of a different kind.
A Story of Life After a Fatal Ride
The narrative centres on six high-school choristers whose lives are tragically cut short by a devastating rollercoaster accident. Instead of a traditional afterlife, they find themselves in a strange limbo, a space between life and death. Here, they are given an extraordinary opportunity: to compete for a single chance to return to Earth.
Guiding their otherworldly proceedings is The Amazing Karnak, a fortune teller portrayed by Edward Wu. This character, who moves with the stiff precision of a wind-up toy and looms over the stage, instructs each teenager to present their case for why they deserve a second chance at life.
A Spectrum of Musical Performances
What follows is a vibrant and diverse parade of musical numbers, with each character delivering a condensed version of their life story through song.
Ocean, played by Baylie Carson, is the quintessential queen bee, and her number is a squeaky, self-celebrating anthem. Noel (Damon Gould) follows with a dreamlike fantasy sequence filled with high kicks and corsets.
The Ukrainian rebel Mischa (Bartek Kraszewski) delivers a punchy and energetic rap performance. Ricky (Jack Maverick), who grew up mute, undergoes a spectacular transformation into a sequin-clad deity during a 70s-inspired number called Space Age Bachelor.
Constance, portrayed in a brilliant debut by Robyn Gilbertson, is the nicest girl in town who discovers her profound love for the world just as it is tragically too late. Perhaps the most haunting performance comes from Jane Doe (Grace Galloway), the decapitated victim of the crash who now wears a doll's head. She sings a beautiful, sorrowful aria for the unknown person she never got to become.
A Production Full of Quirky Charm
Directed by Lizzi Gee, this wonderfully eccentric production fully embraces the show's circus-like spirit, originally conceived by writers Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. While the premise of a musical about teenage death seems morbid, the show cleverly pivots to become a vibrant celebration of life itself.
Some critics have noted that the show's structure can begin to feel slightly formulaic, with each character receiving only a fleeting moment in the spotlight, leaving little time for deep connection. Despite this, it's easy to understand how Ride the Cyclone has garnered such a dedicated fanbase over the years.
This is a genuinely unique musical theatre experience that, with a few minor tweaks, has the potential to truly soar. The production will be running at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London until 10 January, offering UK audiences a rare chance to witness this peculiar and captivating show.
