INCREDIBLY FUN AND UNAPOLOGETICALLY GAY: POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! IS A MUST-SEE

By Molly Hayes | Molly Hayes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

As a lover of all things camp and unhinged, I was incredibly excited to see Pop Off, Michelangelo! The musical promised an electropop score, historical inaccuracy, and nonstop comedy. Naturally, it was everything I had hoped for.

The opening sequence of the production, which referred to Beyoncé’s 2022 album Renaissance, perfectly set us up for the night of high-camp debauchery and fun we were in for. The show was so jam-packed with sharp-witted jokes that it’s impossible to remember all of them. I slightly regretted bringing my mother along when I heard the sodomy jokes; however, she laughed even harder than I did. The amalgamation of queer pop culture, musical, historical, and religious references worked together perfectly.

The cast’s talents in this production amazed me. Max Eade was phenomenal as the titular Michelangelo, and Aidan MacColl was hilarious as his best friend turned rival Leonardo da Vinci. Kurran Dhand was also utterly charming as Salai. Sev Keoshgerian and Aoife Haakenson were spectacular in their multiple roles, although Keoshgerian’s Italian Chef and Haakenson’s Marisa Tomei were without a doubt my favourites from them. I thoroughly enjoyed Laura Sillett as the villainous Friar Savonarola, and have to commend her for how expertly she handled her wig falling off during the performance. Furthermore, I was excited to see Michael Marouli, having been wowed by him on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and he did not disappoint.

The score of Pop Off, Michelangelo! and its execution were absolutely flawless. The high-energy titular song, as well as the ballad Pick Me Girl have been stuck in my head ever since I heard them. Each cast member blew me away with their vocal ability, and it would be impossible to pick a standout. The choreography that accompanied each song was dynamic and superb. I also have to credit the show’s band, who played remarkably.

Pop Off, Michelangelo! was incredibly fun, unapologetically gay, and a must-see production. There was barely a minute when I wasn’t in stitches laughing. If I had to offer one minor criticism, I felt that the concept of the Pope could’ve been elevated slightly to match the exaggeration of the other characters. However, I left the theatre feeling completely uplifted, and would watch it all over again in a heartbeat.

Pop Off, Michelangelo! is running at Underbelly Boulevard Soho until Sunday 13 July.

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Photo Credit: Danny with a Camera