Review: I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical at Hope Mill Theatre has ‘something for everyone’

Hope Mill Theatre plays host to this musical trip behind the curtain as Seabright’s production of Alexander S. Bermange’s comedic musical I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical pokes fun at the genre from a place of love and brings a comedic twist to the world of musical theatre.

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical at Hope Mill Theatre

The show follows four actors (Luke Harley, Sev Keoshgerian, Jessi O’Donnell and Julie Yammanee) who each perform songs that gives the audience a look at what goes on behind the curtain from first auditions and performing for tiny audiences to becoming a diva and starring on Broadway.

With songs for the superfans and ‘sick’ actors trying to garner sympathy to mocking complicated dance numbers and singing off key, to unwanted encores and even more.

“A show with something for everyone”

The show has something for everyone in this musical that manages to seamlessly stitch together strong musical performances with laugh-out-loud jokes.

It is packed with references to famous stage shows such as Wicked, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, making the show one for all-time musical lovers while it still offers tons of comedy that newer fans of the genre can still enjoy.

The show doesn’t follow a usual plot structure and instead resembles a musical array of comedic skits.

The humour and musical talent on display from the stellar cast allow for the show to dive straight into the parody from the get-go without much more setup needed than the show’s opening number titled “Opening Number”.

“Short but sweet showtime”

The show is short but sweet with a single act and a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes but the show never outstays its welcome and is full to the brim with jokes, parodies and slapstick that always keeps the audience entertained throughout the show.

Beautiful songs

Sev Keoshgerian and Jessi O’Donnell’s song about the horrors of sharing an onscreen kiss is a hysterical highlight as is Julie Yammanee’s song about her desire to sing with hilarious results, Luke Harley also shines as a football fan who secretly loves musicals.

The cast is a real strength of the show and it is a joy to watch them play an impressive number of different roles throughout the show.

Excellent direction and choreography by Matthew Parker

Directed and choreographed by Matthew Parker, I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical is a laugh-out-loud meta-musical that serves as a love letter to the genre, that celebrates the song, dance and cabaret that only musicals can bring both on stage and off.

Tickets for I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical at Hope Mill Theatre

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical is showing in the Hope Mill Theatre until Saturday 6th July.

Tickets can be bought here