A-MAIZE-ING VOCALS, CORN-OGRAPHY, AND CHAOS IN COB COUNTY

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

A musical about corn? Sounds like the most rogue choice, but my god, it works! Shucked is a show that knows exactly what it’s doing. And what it’s doing is making you laugh, smirk, gasp, and want to belt along. Between the puns, the big-hearted ballads, and the barely appropriate one-liners, it’s a sweetcorn surprise of a night out… Ok, I’ll stop with the puns now!

The cast? Phenomenal! Every one of them delivers across the board. We’re talking acting, singing, comic timing, and great corn-ography (ok, I had one more in me). I don’t want to single people out because it’s genuinely an ensemble triumph. But it would be criminal not to mention those vocals! Ben Joyce as Beau, Georgina Onuorah as Lulu, and Sophie McShera as Maizy all brought house-down moments. “Independently Owned” and “Somebody Will”, literal goosebumps!

Shucked is anchored by two brilliant storytellers/chaos conductors (Monique Ashe-Palmer and Steven Webb). They break the fourth wall and keep the whole thing together with a wink and a sideways grin. Their chemistry is effortless, and their ability to flip between characters mid-scene? So slick. Steven may have lucked out with some of the juicier lines, but Monique more than matches him beat for beat.

The bulk of the action is in Cob County, with a brief detour to Tampa. The cast roles and costume swaps were so smooth that they got their own applause. Massive shoutout to the lighting and design team too. Not only are they adapting to the natural light shifts, but they’ve got to be ready for whatever the London sky throws at them.

The humour is delightfully dark and dirty in places, definitely a tick from me. Full of whip-smart one-liners and the kind of filthy innuendo that sneaks up on you mid-chuckle. Honestly, I could quote the script for days. Standouts? “If life was fair, mosquitos would suck out fat instead of blood”. Or the  iconic: “I may no longer have my virginity, but I do still have the box it came in.” Sensational!

Keith Ramsay’s Peanuty is the chaos wildcard you can’t wait to see reappear. His “I think” monologues had the audience in hysterics. We’re talking random thoughts, rogue considerations, and finally, something that actually fits the scene. You could feel people leaning in, waiting for the next one. I only had one teeny quibble. The act one closing number had a bit too much going on vocally, and I couldn’t keep up. Impressive, but comprehension took a hit.

Still, Shucked is bold, bonkers, and bursting with laughs. It’s one of the most joyful, filthy little gems you’ll catch this year. And Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre? When it’s done right, like this, it’s unbeatable. It gives you chills, although not just from the harmonies. Make sure to bring a jacket, even on a hot day, trust me!

Shucked is running until Saturday 14 June. It’s shuckin’ brilliant!

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Photo Credit: Pamela Raith