Make no mistake about it, stage adaptations of revered films can be one hell of a gamble. But when done correctly, boy, do they shine. Among the ranks of Back to the Future and Dirty Dancing is Mrs. Doubtfire, yet another musical part of the retro film revival currently gracing London's West End.
Taking direct inspiration from Anne Fine's 1987 novel Madame Doubtfire, and Chris Columbus' ensuing 1993 cinema hit, the stage adaptation of Mrs. Doubtfire has been running in London for a little over 18 months now with considerable levels of success.
For those unfamiliar with the novel or the Robin Williams-fronted film, the story follows Daniel (Gabriel Vick), an immature 30-something voiceover artist struggling to come to terms with his recent divorce and the subsequent void left behind from rarely seeing his children. Forced to desperate measures, Daniel turns to his brother Frank (Cameron Blakley) and his partner Andre (Marcus Collins) who help to transform him into a fiery Scottish nanny by the name of Euphegenia Doubtfire.
From the offset, Gabriel Vick's talents are abundantly clear – the performance begins with a pre-show announcement featuring pitch-perfect impressions of the likes of Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and even Prince Harry. Setting the tone for the next two and a half hours, this humorous segment serves as a warm-up for some outright belly-laugh moments down the line.
Following the introduction of Daniels's ex-wife Miranda (Laura Tebbutt) and his children, the ensemble carries the performance between gags and through an array of energetic, and at times sombre, musical hits.
Though the musical sections seem unnecessary at moments, they serve to guide the play’s underlying themes. And none of them do a better job at this than the number ‘"Make Me a Woman".
Pulsing with pomp and splendour, this hit arrives early into the performance and serves to banish any questions surrounding dated gender ideologies. Throughout the song, we see Daniel undergo his initial transformation into Mrs Doubtfire, guided by Frank and his boyfriend Andre. In a moment of stage trickery (or just downright witchcraft), Daniel disappears and emerges just seconds later in full makeup and garb, delivering the first showstopping moment of the production.
In contrast to the undeniably camp overtones of “Make Me a Woman”, hits like “I Want To Be There” tackle the play’s more solemn themes. Exploring the sadness and loneliness stemming from Miranda gaining sole custody of their children, Daniel's aria serves as an ode to those who have experienced the issues themselves, making it one of the more resonating pieces in the performance.
Sections of the film have been heavily streamlined for the sake of the stage, but if there's one thing that remains constant, it's Gabriel Vick's unfaltering energy. Matching the late and great Robin Williams is no simple feat, yet Vick has managed to capture and channel both the dad-like energy required for gags and the intricacies surrounding the character's heartache.
While in scenes with his ex-wife and children, Daniel's character seemingly dominates the stage, his presence is equalled when alongside Cameron Blakely and Marcus Collins as the show's dedicated power couple. The duo's chemistry excels from scene to scene and Frank's “shouting when he's lying” gag draws raucous laughs from the audience at each turn.
Much like the film, this performance concludes with a departure from the typical 90s trope of neatly tied-up, happily-ever-after families. Of course, like most theatre performances, it does deliver a happy ending, but Mrs. Doubtfire takes a refreshing approach by staying true to the themes explored throughout and avoiding a simplistic resolution.
Playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End, Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical is scheduled to run until at least 26 April 2025. Brimming with hilarious and heartfelt moments, this musical is worth not just your money, but your time too.
Book tickets to Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical now.
Originally written by former Visit London author, Jack Strong.