Mrs Doubtfire at Theatre Royal Plymouth Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Helen Wyatt
Tonight I went to see Mrs Doubtfire, The Hit Comedy Musical, at Plymouth Theatre Royal. I’ve always loved the 1990s film starring Robin Williams, which was absolutely iconic, so I was a little worried how this show could possibly live up to such a classic hit from my childhood. If you don’t know the story, it’s partly a serious tale of divorce and custody battles, but the main character Daniel finds a cheeky way back into his kids’ life as the singular Mrs Doubtfire, a no-nonsense Scottish nanny of indeterminable age. As Mrs Doubtfire, Daniel learns how to listen to his family and ultimately become a better father.
Mrs Doubtfire the musical began in Seattle then transferred to Broadway in 2021. After that it came to the UK on London’s West End and in 2025 the show celebrated its European premiere in Germany. The musical is currently on its second national U.S. tour and soon will head to Australia, showing just how far it’s spread around the world. Mrs Doubtfire is now on a major UK and Ireland tour, and it will travel around the country until at least 2028. It’s currently on at the Plymouth Theatre Royal until the 7th of November 2026 so still plenty of time to see it there.
The original 90s movie is very funny, and Robin Williams plays the character of Daniel perfectly with great comedic timing, funny voices, and brilliant artistic flair. In the musical Daniel was played by Gabriel Vick. Gabriel couldn’t have been a more perfect choice to play Daniel. He had us laughing from the moment he stepped onto the stage to the very end of the show. His comedy impressions rivalled those of Robin Williams, and I felt they were even better at times. Gabriel can sing, dance, act, do impressions, and all while pulling off fantastic comedy timing to make this show absolutely perfect.
The supporting cast, including the other main characters, were wonderful too. I couldn’t fault the American accents, including those of the kids, and everyone on stage gave it their absolute all. Some of my favourite characters were Daniel’s gay brother, Frank, and his husband, Andre, who clearly really enjoyed making the audience laugh with their brilliant performances. Frank and Andre’s characters are developed way more in the musical than in the film, which is a lovely addition to the show, giving even more depth to this family’s life and backstory.
What made the show for me was that it had been modernised without losing the original plot and key iconic moments, such as the pie to the face, dancing with a vacuum cleaner, the burnt blouse following a cooking disaster, and iconic lines such as “Help is on the way dears!”. This hilarious show brings the story bang up to date with modern jokes, current impressions, and even some local references which was a brilliant touch, along with brief moments of audience interaction which was unexpected but perfectly timed.
This show was truly one of the best modern musicals I’ve seen, and I would be happy to see it again multiple times. It had me crying with laughter at times, but also drawing me in with key emotional moments in the story. The audience gave a standing ovation in the finale which was truly deserved by one and all. The cast was supported by a superb orchestra, who were hidden under the stage, but their musicality carried the show. The set was very clever, showing the San Francisco skyline and key places such as Daniel’s apartment, Miranda’s house, the restaurant where Mrs Doubtfire’s identity is finally revealed, and the TV studio where Daniel gets his break. These were all simple but very effective and true to the original movie.
The show was all the better for being held in the equally iconic Plymouth Theatre Royal. This theatre is a local landmark and is always a pleasure to visit. The staff are welcoming and helpful, the seating is comfortable, and you have good leg room. We had a great view from the circle and it was easy to navigate to our seats. The theatre is accessible for those with limited mobility and there are also some BSL interpreted shows available. There is parking within easy reach, and you can grab a bite to eat at many local establishments before the show. There were several bars throughout the theatre to grab a drink before the show or during the interval too.
I would highly recommend going to see this show if you want a hit of nostalgia from the 90s but also a very enjoyable evening full of laughter and joy. Bravo to all involved!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £45.50
Mrs Doubtfire, The Hit Comedy Musical, is at Plymouth Theatre Royal until Saturday 7 November. For more information or to book tickets visit https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/mrs-doubtfire/, or call the box office on 01752 267222.
Theatre Royal, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR