Back to the Future has been running in London’s West End for over 4 years and much like the Dolerian it shows no signs of slowing down, welcoming a new cast including Brain Conley as Doc and Maddie Grace Jepson as Lorraine Baines.

The musical is based very heavily on the iconic film of the same name where Marty McFly travels from 1955 from 1985 courtesy of Docs time machine and a Dolerian. When he arrives in the 50’s he finds himself stuck there, face to face with his parents and helping to ensure that he hasn’t changed the course of history and thus erasing his existence. The book by Bob Gale ensures that the movies momentum is kept up on stage and the pace races along as fast as the Dolerian itself.

The show succeeds on many levels but the most striking thing is how the show looks – the set, the projections combined with the automation all makes for one of the most impressive visual shows in the West End. In the space of one show on stage you see a time travelling car, Doc climbing to the top of the clock tower, Marty and George falling out of a tree and so much more. The set itself, designed by Tim Hatley, is expansive and switches from classroom to the town square to Docs home seamlessly without ever breaking the flow of the show. The choreography by Chris Bailey, works seamlessly with these changes and the fight scene in the school was a particular highlight and demonstrated that the set was more than just style over substance and 5 years on I was just as impressed with this element of the show as I was when I first saw it.

The cast were a universal success. Caden Brauch joined the cast earlier this year in February after playing the role on the US tour and it was easy to see why he was asked to continue the role. His energy was unmatched throughout the show and he had the perfect balance of being recognisable as the Marty McFly that we all know and love whilst still putting his own stamp on it and veering away from imitation. Brain Conley has just stepped into the role of Doc and he thrived playing this zany, eccentric character. They were moments where I struggled with his diction but this never impacted my ability to follow what was happening and his natural charisma in this won ensured that I was won over swiftly.

Maddie Grace Jepson makes her West End debut as Lorraine Baines, Marty McFly’s mother who falls for him when he is transported back to the 1950’s. Whilst she is currently known for her social media following she proved that she is far from a one trick pony and was delightful as Lorraine Baines. In particular she was utterly convincing in her characters changing age throughout the show and also in delivery the comedy required for this role. I must also praise Orlando Gibbs who played George McFly, Marty’s cowardly father whose comedy timing and facial expressions were impeccable.

My minor criticism of Back to the Future is that often the music and the lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard feel like an after thought. Some numbers such as ‘Something About That Boy,’ ‘Gotta Start Somewhere,’ and of course numbers such as ‘The Power of Love’ and ‘Johnny Be Good,’ stand out as they are both catchy and really drive home the themes and story of the show but not all of the music is so successful and they fail to drive much emotion throughout the show.

Back to the Future is a show to see if you want to be wowed by a combination of the on stage talent alongside one of the most visually exciting shows in the West End, whilst it is not the strongest offering musically, or emotionally you will be hard pressed not to have a great time at this production.

To find out more about Back to the Future and to book tickets click here.

If you like this review of Back to the Future you might also like my review for Stranger Things The First Shadow, Cabaret and The Devil Wears Prada.