Broadway’s smash-hit musical The Book of Mormon has made its return to Manchester, and it’s just as raucous as always. Written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, The Book of Mormon returned to the Palace Theatre Manchester on Wednesday 11 September and runs until Saturday 5 October, with hilarious consequences.
A hilarious romp exploring the structures surrounding Mormonism and religion, The Book of Mormon tells the story of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, both played excellently by Adam Bailey and Sam Glen, and their mission to Uganda to spread to word of the Mormon church. Through meeting the locals and mingling with the existing Mormon brotherhood in Uganda, the Elders test their own relationship, eventually understanding what their purpose is.
Of course, the musical is famous for its outrageous humour, often hitting below the belt, but if you can take it, it’s well worth the watch. The likes of Nyah Nish and Kirk Patterson hold the show together terrifically as Nabulungi (AKA several names through according to Elder Cunningham) and her dad Mafala Hatimbi, alongside the ensemble cast who seamlessly create the atmosphere that makes The Book of Mormon what it is.
Rodney Earl Clarke terrifies and excites as the General – we won’t reveal his full name, as a raucous surprise for when you see it – and his character ark is pretty satisfying for everyone. The songs and choreography are so well done, even if plenty of it is making fun of the musical as a genre – which makes it all the more hilarious.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the creators of the Emmy and Peabody award-winning television show, South Park, and the feature films South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and Team America: World Police, so you can imagine the type of humour that runs through the Book of Mormon script.
Since making its world premiere in March 2011 at New York’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre, where it won nine Tony Awards, The Book of Mormon has been performed on three continents and won over thirty international awards.
The London production opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre in February 2013 when it set the record for the highest single day of sales in West End history and went on to win four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical.
There are also 15 tickets for each performance available at £15 each, from 12pm the day of the performance, alongside full price tickets here.
The Book of Mormon will be running at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday 5 October, 2024.