Dear Evan Hansen at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Mel Randle

Last night we went to the opening night of Dear Evan Hansen at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. This current tour of the UK (the first for this show) is coming to an end in July so I’m going say it straight off, if you get a chance to go and see it you really must! Wow, wow, wow just about sums it up for me! I have heard lots of rave reviews on the show but it’s never really been on my radar, probably because the synopsis is a little out there for a musical, but now I know what all the fuss is about!

The story centres on Evan who is currently going through therapy for depression and anxiety and is writing himself letters as part of his treatment. When one letter gets in the hands of a fellow pupil who then goes on to commit suicide, a misinterpretation and little white lie soon spirals out of control for Evan. There are lots of hard-hitting subjects tackled in the show, suicide and mental health, and as such the show has a recommended age of 12+. As serious as the topics are, there is a lot of humour throughout and a brilliant music score. So although you may leave the theatre with a tissue to hand, you will also leave feeling thoroughly entertained!

Some of the best stage performances I have ever seen came from Ryan Kopel as Evan and Tom Dickerson as Jared. That said, the whole cast was outstanding. At times it was so easy to become immersed in the performance that I almost forgot that I was watching a stage show and could easily have been watching an American movie on the big screen. The story was easy to follow despite me having read the plot first. I think the concept of the show sounds more complicated than it actually is which is probably what has put me off seeing it until now. So don’t do what I did and just bite the bullet!!

The set was stunning with an awesome arrangement of mirrors and lights which I’ve not seen before. Changes between scenes were simple yet effective – lockers for school, a bed for Evan’s bedroom, dining table for the Murphy house making the storyline clear to follow. And lots of very clever projections on glass transporting us into the world of social media when the plot required.

And now to the music which of course is a key element in a musical! I didn’t realise until I read the programme that the music and lyrics were written by the same duo, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who brought us one of the greatest musicals of all time ‘The Greatest Showman’. Do I need to say more? There are definitely a few numbers that will be added to my ‘favourites’ playlist, notably ‘Sincerely Me’ and ‘You Will Be Found’.

So to sum up, add the ingredients of an awesome musical score, brilliant acting and a really unusual but very clever storyline and you end up with a musical that absolutely everybody must see!!

Rating: 5/5

Dear Evan Hansen is at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre until Saturday 14th June 2025

Tickets available from £15 subject to a transaction fee of £3.95

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.atgtickets.com