Musical Review: Prince Of Egypt At Dominion Theatre
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Last Updated 03 April 2020
It's a bit of a cliché to describe a show as timely. New musical Prince of Egypt focuses on the Pharaoh and, in particular, his two sons. The younger one, Moses, is wild of heart and uncertain of parentage. He first meets his future spouse when he sees her performing; before long, he suddenly departs the royal court under a cloud, abandoning family and title to live with his new wife in her land. Soon after, unprecedented weather and a strange pestilence strike the land. So, not that timely at all.
It’s not just on stage that it's a family affair. Director Scott Schwartz has teamed up here with his famed father Stephen; the latter composed the songs for the original 1998 animated film as well as perennial London favourite Wicked.
There are a couple of standout songs in the much-reprised Deliver Us and the throw-your-hands-in-the-air-like-you-just-don’t-care number Through Heaven’s Eyes but the most memorable element of the show is Sean Cheesman’s fantastic choreography. Set design is a particular low point: it looks a bit cheap and unambitious for a West End musical, and should a royal throne shake when you sit on it? We think not.
As Moses and his brother from another mother Ramses, Luke Brady and Liam Tamne struggle with the uneven script and haphazard direction to do more than pout and look stern for most of the time. Acting honours here belong squarely to the high priests with Adam Pearce’s villainous Hotep and Gary Wilmot’s father-figure Jethro both stealing every scene they appear in.
The Prince of Egypt, Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Rd, W1T 7AQ. Tickets £15-£149.50, until 31 October 2020.
