“The World Will Know”: Newsies flies high in its UK debut

It’s finally here. The long-awaited UK run of Disney’s Newsies has finally opened at the Troubadour Wembley Park Arena and it completely smashes all expectations.

The production had a lot to live up to, with it being the first time the show left the US and the first time it had been performed in 8 years after finding a massive fanbase due to recorded material. Also, the show is known for being extremely hard to cast, which put many people off of producing this intense piece of theatre.

Firstly, the set alone is extraordinary. The Troubadour is completely transformed into a New York scene. The whole theatre becomes part of the production as well as the giant piece of scaffolding centre centring the stage. Every piece of space is used effectively, even with the entrance to the seating which has been transformed into a newsie den, filled with laundry, beds, hammocks, etc. This set is used perfectly within the show with newsies appearing from quite literally everywhere in the theatre. From any seat in the theatre, you will get a unique experience, and a newsie by your side at some point. It is amazing how hard these boys work, running around the space for basically the whole show along with the ever-famed intense dance numbers. It is certainly a workout. They are not even limited by gravity; they would probably walk on the ceiling if they could.

The dance numbers fly above any and all expectations, starting from the very beginning of the show and continuing non-stop until the end of the show. There’s a new dance section for the newsies at the beginning of the show, reminding the audience that this is their show; it’s about their community not just the main characters. ‘Carrying the Banner’ was charismatic and charming as ever, with something different happening everywhere you look. This is a show where you can go over and over again and always find something new, it encapsulates the chaos of the streets of New York. ‘Seize the Day’ is quite literally a showstopper; as in it received two standing ovations which is incredible, especially on a press night, and it’s not even the end of act 1. These standing ovations both lasted between 1-2 minutes each and it's extremely well deserved. From flips and tricks, dizzying turn sequences and gravity-defying jumps, these boys do everything they can, and it is a truly special moment. Audiences stare gobsmacked, giving thunderous applauses to even the smallest moments; everyone gets their time in the spotlight. Another standout number was ‘King of New York’ which was a tap sensation. They have to dance on tables, use props for efficient sound and it very easily could have received another standing ovation. Some of the things they do in this number is astounding, but its’ better to keep some surprises so you will have to go watch it for yourself to truly understand the heights that these boys go to. But these are not the only places where dance is seen, in every scene change, there are newsies dancing, flipping, jumping, bringing on set, taking of props. Etc. These boys are truly all stars.