Dear Evan Hanson at Montgomery Theatre Sheffield Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Lindsay Burton
Last night was a first for me at the Montgomery Theatre in Sheffield with the Splinters production of Dear Evan Hanson. With a formidable cast on stage, this powerful and emotional musical investigates loneliness, friendship, mental health and the desperate need to feel that you belong. It tells the story of Evan, a socially anxious teenager who struggles to make friends and find his place in the world. When a misunderstanding involving a fellow student leads to a lie that quickly grows out of control, Evan finds himself caught up in something much bigger than he ever expected.
Josh Fishburn makes the role of Evan Hanson entirely his own in this production. From the moment the show begins, I was completely enthralled by this young, socially awkward man who desperately wants to belong and find his place in a world that often feels as though it is passing him by. There is something incredibly endearing about Evan, and Josh captures his vulnerability, nervous energy and overwhelming desire to be seen and understood with real warmth. An apparently minor encounter with Connor Murphy (Charlie Hopper), witnessed by Connor’s sister Zoe (Madison Bland), sets in motion a chain of events that changes the course of Evan’s life in ways he could never have imagined.
What begins as a small misunderstanding soon snowballs into something far more complicated, with Evan finding himself drawn into the Murphy family’s world and becoming a source of comfort to people who are struggling with a devastating loss. Connor’s parents, Cynthia (Dannielle Birks-Hibbert) and Larry Murphy (James Parkin), are particularly important to this part of the story. Meanwhile, Jared Kilenman (Joe Williams) becomes Evan’s reluctant accomplice, helping him navigate a situation that quickly grows beyond either of their control. Meanwhile, Heidi Hanson (Georgina Harley-Willows), Evan’s mum, desperately wants to support her son, but finds herself feeling increasingly isolated and excluded from his life. Working hard to provide for them both means she spends long hours away from home, leaving her struggling to balance the demands of everyday life with her desire to be there for Evan when he needs her most.
The music is without a doubt one of the highlights. The songs are emotional, memorable and beautifully performed, helping the audience understand what the characters are feeling, even when they struggle to express themselves in words. My favourite numbers are Waving Through a Window and You Will Be Found – both delivering a particularly moving message about hope, support and the importance of reaching out to others.
Overall, Dear Evan Hanson is a challenging and heartfelt musical that stays with you long after the final song. It reminds us that everyone has struggles we may not see and that a little kindness can make a real difference. Whether you enjoy musicals or simply appreciate a story with a meaningful message, this is a production well worth experiencing.
The show is on at the Montgomery Theatre in Sheffield until the 24th of October. Ticket prices start from £19 and can be purchased from https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/book/instance/980602
This production is well worth the watch and we rate this as 4/5. The runtime is 2 hours and 35 minutes including an interval. Warning of some strong language used.
Rating: 4/5