The Book of Mormon At Theatre Royal, Nottingham Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

The wonderful winner of 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Book of Mormon is currently showing at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham and wow what a treat audiences are in for.

The book, music and lyrics are by Trev Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, who between them have enjoyed success with South Park and musicals Frozen and Avenue Q. This talented trio bring together everything that is great about outrageous musical comedy.

The show starts in Salt Lake City, where we meet the latest batch of Elders who are followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, ready to preach the word. The confident Elder Price played by the wonderful Robert Colvin is hoping to get posted to his favourite place – Orlando – and the socially awkward and self confessed liar, and brilliant, Conner Peirson, plays Elder Cunningham who just wants to be make a friend. The mismatched pair are assigned to, Uganda (a place Elder Cunningham hasnt even heard of) and with dreams of Lion King the duo set off.

On arrival they are robbed at gun point by guards (played by Tad Hapaguti and Chomba S Taulo) of the General (played by the fabulous Thomas Vernal) who take their luggage.

Not feeling great after such a shock welcome they meet the villagers (who live in fear of the General who wants to circumcise all the women!) led by community leader Mafala Hatimbi, played by Even Cummins) and his daughter Nabulungi, played by Aviva Tulley as well as the Doctor (played by Daniel Haswell). The villagers introduce themselves with the realities of every day life plagued by droughts, famine, AIDS, murders, wild animals to name a few and demonstrate how they really have no faith in God and are not interested in what the Elders have to preach. Their needs are more basic – survival comes before spiritual beliefs.

Feeling despondent and lacking in ideas they meet the other Mormons who have also been trying to convert the villagers, led by Elder McKinley played by Jordan Lee Davies, They have had no success in baptising anyone but have found techniques to deal with issues that they come up against in their life as demonstrated in the song “Turn it off”.

After witnessing a brutal murder Elder Price decides he cant continue and leaves the house the group share (after curfew hours) leaving Elder Cunningham torn between two of the many rules of not leaving the house after curfew and not leaving his partner. Deciding to follow Price he is rebutted but on his way back meets Nabulungi who tells him her villagers are ready to hear about what he is preaching as they are so desperate. Unfortunately Cunningham hasn’t actually read The Book of Mormon so as you can imagine his imagination goes into over drive!

This show is not for the more prudish amongst us, it may be deemed offensive with a lot of swearing and graphic violence but it is also very funny and touching in parts. The songs, and costumes are alive and loud and this show packs a punch like no other. There is a reason this incredible show has been selling out theatres around the world so catch it in Nottingham whilst you can!

The performance lasts approximately 2 hours 20 minutes with a 15 minute interval.
Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £18.50
The Book of Mormon is on at Theatre Royal, Nottingham until Saturday 10 September
For more information or to book tickets visit https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/the-book-of-mormon/ or call the box office on 0115 989 5555

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND