A winter theatre trip

Pic: Danny Kaan

RIDE THE CYCLONE The Musical****  at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London (until 10 January 2026) is just the show to take your group to on a cold winter’s evening!,

Beginning just after an accident on a roller coaster has resulted in the deaths of 6 teenagers, we are introduced to them as they wait in limbo between life and death. Each of the teenagers tells their story. Different types of music and very different accounts of their lives emerge. Singularly they come into the spotlight to say why they deserve to live on.

All the cast perform well and each of their stories is given a different style of presentation and music to accompany each song. The narrator and master of ceremonies is The Amazing Karnak played powerfully by Edward Wo. The young actors – Bailie Carson, Grace Galloway, Robyn Gilbertson, Damon Gould, Bartek Kraszewski, Jack Maverick  – are all excellent and give good performances of some catchy songs with some versatile choreography.  They are very different from each other and slickly directed by Lizzie Gee.

An attractive set with interesting lighting design and good costumes helps to establish the mood of the peace. Loud and very much enjoyed by the audience when I was there; probably more appealing to a younger audience than to some older critics!

Written by CARLIE NEWMAN