Gabriel Vick is perfect as Mrs. Doubtfire in the new show of the same name – it’s laugh out loud hilarious!
While no one can come close to Robin Williams, Vick nails it, down to the physical comedy, voice impressions, likability, charm and overall performance – Vick wins us over, and the show is his (with the help of some adorable children).
Daniel and Miranda (Laura Tebbutt) are having trouble in their marriage as Daniel – a freelance voice actor – is irresponsible and can’t get enough work, and with three children to raise its not easy. When Miranda announces she wants a divorce, Daniel has to move out of their San Francisco home to a small run down flat. There’s another hitch, he needs a job to prove he can provide for his children, and his visitation rights to his children is very limited. So when Daniel finds out that Miranda is looking for a nanny for their children (after hacking into her phone) he does what any father would do – he applies for the nanny position! With the help of his makeup/hairstylist brother Frank (Cameron Blakely) and partner Andre (Marcus Collins) Daniel wins over Miranda with his English nanny accent, sensibility, smarts and so he is hired right on the spot. The children and Miranda don’t suspect a thing, and life goes on until the jig is up! But through winning songs (I Want To Be There, Letting Go and Playing with Fire), and very very funny skits (we get 9 Mrs. Doubtfires at one point) Mrs. Doubtfire the musical becomes an instant classic!
This show is sure to be a sure fire hit and has just announced an extension to its run until June 2024. This shows that word of mouth has spread as to how fun and entertaining this show is – the funniest show now in the west end! It’s all down to VIck in the lead role, though Tebbutt is very good as his wife and aspiring clothing designer, and the various actors who play the children are well worth the mention (Carla Dixon-Hernandez is the oldest daughter Lydia and and is fantastic). Thanks to a very funny book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and songs by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick Mrs Doubtfire is a must see!
Review by Tim Baros
Photo by Manuel Harlan