Beetlejuice the Musical review: Tim Burton's chaotic ghost story haunts London's West End

What is the plot of Beetlejuice the musical?

Beetlejuice, the ghoul from six feet under, although eccentric to the brim, is surprisingly lonely. Visible only to those joining him in the afterlife, he has his sights set on one thing: rejoining the world of the living. As we first meet him on stage, he's already up to mischief, hanging around the Maitlands – brilliantly played by Chelsea Halfpenny and David Hunter – a very dorky and lovey-dovey couple. Not one to mind his own business, Beetlejuice orchestrates their death by playing up with the house's badly maintained electrical system, setting in motion the chaos that follows.

Soon after arrives Lydia Deetz, a gothic teenager struggling to process the death of her mother. Forced into a new life by a father determined to move on, Lydia feels increasingly isolated as he refuses to confront his grief and instead welcomes into their lives the eccentric Delia, whose every sentence seems to quote her guru.

Beetlejuice, desperate to come back and join the living, tries to convince Lydia, who by some extraordinary twist of fate can see Beetlejuice in the flesh despite still being alive, something never achieved before, to say his name three times and summon him back to life. What follows is a madcap ride as Lydia joins forces with Beetlejuice, unleashing all sorts of supernatural chaos as dark forces take over the house, transforming it into a giant playground for the dead.

Beetlejuice takes centre stage, bringing chaos to the West End

As an evil cackle echoes through the auditorium, the curtain rises on Beetlejuice: The Musical. The Musical. The Musical.

From the opening number, Beetlejuice establishes himself as our host for the evening, something I’ve not really seen in the West End before. It almost feels like a late-night comedy show colliding with a Broadway musical, with Beetlejuice constantly setting the tone and pulling the audience into his world. The show overall feels very American in its storytelling and humour, but still manages to land a few British references and puns.

While Tim Burton’s signature gothic aesthetic is still there, the musical definitely leans much more into comedy than horror. It’s a show about “the whole being dead thing”, grief and the afterlife, but it never really takes itself too seriously. Instead, it fully embraces the absurdity of it all, finding humour in even the darkest moments.

What I really liked is that it doesn’t just try to be a live version of the film. The West End production gives credit to the original, keeping some of its edgy humour and making sure the very identity and signature of Tim Burton’s universe remains an integral part of the show. Rather than going for a scene-by-scene recreation, the creative team expands things out, giving more space to characters and relationships that only really get a brief moment on screen. It feels fresh enough for fans of the original, while still being easy to follow if you’re stepping into Beetlejuice’s world for the very first time.

David Fynn leads an exceptional Beetlejuice musical cast

David Fynn, Olivier Award nominee for School of Rock, steps into the role of Beetlejuice and very much makes it his own.

Unlike the film, where Beetlejuice doesn’t appear until around 40 minutes in, the musical sees him take centre stage from the very beginning. Acting as our narrator for the evening, he sets the scene for what’s to follow, and at times directly addresses the audience, which instantly gives the show a very different kind of energy for a West End production and makes for a spontaneous performance.

Even though everything on a West End stage is tightly scripted, he manages to create this sense that anything could happen at any moment. Whether it’s picking on  audience members or slipping in little references aimed at a British crowd, he brings a really unpredictable energy to the Prince Edward Theatre. The show does lean a little into pantomime territory, something that actually works well with Beetlejuice's chaotic personality. There are plenty of references to British pop culture too, including a tirade aimed at the West End's very own Paddington Bear – do we have some beef here, Beetlejuice?

Opposite him, Hannah Nordberg is excellent as Lydia Deetz, playing the angsty teenager allying forces with Beetlejuice in search of reuniting with her Dead Mom in spite of her father. Lydia has much more of a main character energy in the musical version, a different perspective from the original film where she is very much a secondary character.

Both Lydia and Beetlejuice, although the relationship seems a little out of place at first, are feeling misunderstood and out of place in their own ways. One wishes nothing more than to be dead, while the other is desperate to come back amongst the living, encouraging one another to be their very worst.

Nordberg's rendition of Dead Mom is, I think, one of the best musical numbers of the show. It's a powerful moment that breathes life and strength into Lydia's character, giving her a chance to fully express her grief while earning one of the biggest rounds of applause of the evening.

Inside the Beetlejuice West End set design

The Prince Edward Theatre starts transporting you into Beetlejuice’s world before the show has even begun. Purple and red lighting fills the auditorium, while the sandworm’s tail wraps itself around the pillars on either side of the stage, making it feel as though the underworld has already started creeping into the theatre.

The stage design and special effects are no exception, staying true to Tim Burton’s visual world while fully embracing the chaos from scene to scene. What impressed me most was the production's decision not to rely entirely on modern technology. Rather than overwhelming audiences with projections and digital effects, the show frequently embraces old-school theatrical craftsmanship with puppetry creations.

The house itself is a character in its own right, taking on the very aesthetics we associate with Tim Burton’s universe. The Maitlands’ house, although sporting a somewhat questionable architectural balance, seems fairly standard at first before being given a modern, sleek makeover by the Deetz family. That is, until Beetlejuice gets his hands on it and gives it a complete transformation, covering it in the trippy stripes that we associate with Beetlejuice.

The occasional appearance of the giant sandworm is genuinely startling, popping up when you least expect it and adding to the unpredictable energy of the show. I also really liked the use of papier-mâché throughout, from the giant walking hand to the army of skeletons with oversized bobbling heads — almost like twisted versions of souvenir toys you’d find around London, especially in the chaotic game-show-style scene of “Death or…”.

Is the Beetlejuice London show worth seeing?

Overall, I loved that Beetlejuice The Musical isn’t just a copy-and-paste adaptation of one of my favourite films. Instead, it takes the world and characters we already know and expands on them, creating something that feels familiar while still managing to carve its own identity.

Overall, I loved that the musical stage adaptation isn’t a straight copy of the Beetlejuice movie, but rather a reinvented version that complements it, and even has the potential to bring in new fans, as there’s no need to have seen the film beforehand to fully step into Beetlejuice’s world. Unlike the original film, where Beetlejuice only appears briefly, the musical puts him right at the centre as the main driving force, acting almost like a chaotic MC or late-night host guiding us through a macabre, messy story with plenty of questionable jokes along the way — which actually fits the character perfectly.

My final thought would be that Beetlejuice The Musical is not your typical West End show. If you’re expecting the usual polished, glamorous style of London musicals, this probably isn’t it. However, if you’re looking for a fun night in London’s theatre district, with a mix of dark humour, teenage angst, and a fresh take on the original Tim Burton film, then it absolutely delivers an edgy, chaotic satire that feels like a ride through the afterlife.

The show has divided critics, but Beetlejuice has everything it needs to be a success this season. It’s not a replica of other screen-to-stage productions, but a reimagining of a beloved film told through Beetlejuice’s own chaotic perspective, cracking jokes and dragging us through it all, it is a genuinely fun production that will likely appeal to a different kind of West End audience.

Have a meal at Kawan, Chinatown’s newest opening

YouTube-famous Uncle Roger, known for grilling chefs over their take on Asian classics, has just opened his very own restaurant, Kawan by Uncle Roger, right in the heart of Chinatown.

As soon as we step inside, we are transported into Uncle Roger’s world. From the canteen-style décor to the manga-covered walls leading upstairs, every corner is packed with references to the internet personality. Upstairs, lit-up lanterns feature Uncle Roger’s many puns, while the décor takes inspiration from East Asia’s vibrant street food culture.

The menu is equally packed with nods to Uncle Roger’s videos, including playful takes on British classics such as the Proper Fish and Chips (not inspired by Jamie) and the Chinese Wellington, Uncle Roger’s own spin on Gordon Ramsay’s most famous dish.

Highlights include the Chinatown Fried Rice, which is packed with flavour and truly hits the spot; after all, it had to after so many videos roasting chefs attempting to recreate the dish. Other standouts include the Garlic Bomb Aubergine, cooked to soft perfection and topped with a rich garlic and chilli sauce, as well as the Romance of the Three Mushrooms, a trio of wok-fried mushrooms paired with plant-based chicken.

Make sure to leave space for dessert, or “Happy Ending (Sorry Children)” as Uncle Roger calls it. The Sizzling Blue Milo is a must-try: a trio of blue chewy dumplings filled with a chocolate-milo centre, served on a sizzling plate while your waiter pours condensed milk over the top. Mouthwatering!

Best of all, there’s no need to rush your meal before curtain up, as Kawan is located just a three-minute walk from the Prince Edward Theatre.

More London theatre reviews

If you’re looking for more inspiration for your next theatre outing in the West End, why not explore some of the other top shows the team at Visit London have experienced and reviewed? Take your pick from  our review of The Book of Mormon, another laugh out loud London musical, or see the irreverent Matilda the Musical, an all-time family favourite along with the heartwarming production of Ghibli favourite My Neighbour Totoro.

Check out our guide to London theatre for more long-running favourites and limited-run shows.