The cast of SOMETHING ROTTEN! Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
Packed with sharp comedy, inventive choreography, and unforgettable songs, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a fast paced musical that delivers pure theatrical fun.
On paper a musical about William Shakespeare might not sound that appealing. In reality, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a barnstorming romp through the 1590s, with not a note out of place, not a cultural reference missed, and not an ounce of excess fat on this lean singing and dancing machine.
Jason Manford is excellent as Nick Bottom, a struggling writer who is responsible for turning Shakespeare into a playwright, only to regret every minute of it as he watches his former employee rise to dizzying heights of fame and glory.
Richard Fleeshman is equally impressive as Shakespeare, playing him as an ego driven fake rock God who will do anything to stay on top. He relishes every boo from the audience as the show’s consummate villain.
The cast of SOMETHING ROTTEN! Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
Marisha Wallace shows exactly why she is a double Olivier Award nominee, bringing plenty of sass to Nick’s wife, Bea. Cassius Hackforth completes the central quartet as Nigel Bottom, Nick’s idealistic and romantic younger brother, with a gentle and understated touch.
Another audience favourite is Cory English as Tom Nostradamus. Part soothsayer, part comic foil, with more than a touch of the mad scientist, he steals every scene with ease. The supporting cast are equally strong, including Carla Dixon-Hernandez as Nigel’s love interest Portia, Gareth Davies as the opportunistic Shylock, and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure, whose Lady Croydon has just the right amount of fractious dowager energy.
The real star, though, is the script and the musical numbers, which the cast deliver with absolute confidence. Packed f with Shakespearean, historical, and musical references, he show moves at such a pace that it is almost impossible to catch every knowing nod.
The cast of SOMETHING ROTTEN! Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
The choreography by Tim Jackson and Claira Vaughan is a treat. Every routine by the accomplished ensemble is met with extended applause and cheers. The routines are The ambitious crowd pleasers that deliver both spectacle and musical precision. Tudor showgirls and sequin wearing Puritans are something you never thought you needed to see, until you do.
The production values are equally impressive. Colin Richmond has created a mesmerising vision of Tudor England, drawing gasps from the audience as the curtain goes up. Rebecca Brower’s beautifully detailed costumes, combined with Howard Hudson’s lighting and Paul Gatehouse’s sound design, bring everything together perfectly, like a sparkly jigsaw. It is easy to see why the original Broadway production earned a Tony Award for writer John O’Farrell, along with widespread acclaim for Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, who transformed his book into this rip roaring musical.
If you want a great night at the theatre, SOMETHING ROTTEN! delivers. If you want to laugh until tears roll down your face, this is the show for you. If you love musicals, you should not miss this production. It is extraordinary, and above all, pure, unadulterated fun.
SOMETHING ROTTEN! runs at Opera House, Manchester until 19 July 2026.
Gillian has a Masters degree in Film Theory and a background in music journalism. A veteran of gig promotion, she loves nothing more than a darkened room, a packet of Revels and a good play. By day she works in medico-legal administration, by night she escapes into theatre for relaxation.
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