The cast of House of Blakewell’s THOR AND LOKI. Photo Credit: Geraint Lewis
House of Blakewell’s THOR AND LOKI is a camp, comedic and a completely bonkers romp through the Nine Realms
Fresh from their run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, House of Blakewell bring their new musical comedy THOR AND LOKI to Salford’s The Lowry.
As Thor (Harry Blake) approaches his 34 birthday, the God of Thunder is having an identity crisis. Despite his super strength, Thor is a gentle, peace-loving soul who would rather be writing poetry, hiding Greek pottery under his bed or playing the cor anglais rather than wielding his mighty hammer.
His hideous half-Giant sister Loki (Alice Keedwell) is having a similar crisis of confidence. She’s destined to destroy the Nine Worlds, but she prefers picnics to the preferred giant pastime of war. As war rages and the end of the World approaches, an unlikely between the pair friendship is born. Can Thor and Loki find the strength to put their differences aside and work together to save the world?
The cast of House of Blakewell’s THOR AND LOKI. Photo Credit: Geraint Lewis
It’s worth noting at this point that if you’re expecting any resemblance to Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of the legendary feuding gods in the recent THOR: RAGNAROK, think again. House of Blakewell’s new musical is camp, comedic and a completely bonkers romp through the Nine Realms. Expect epic battles, mighty ballads and even a chorus of tap-dancing trolls.
The cast of six work incredibly hard, playing a variety of characters – and a variety of musical instruments – between them. Blake’s Thor keeps the audience laughing with his teenage-like enthusiasm while Alice Keedwell’s Loki has a belter of a voice, filling the auditorium with her beautifully sung ballads. Bob Harris entertains as the eyepatch, boxing robe wearing Odin but it is Laurie Jamieson who steals the show as the viciously ambitious General of the Giant army, Thiassi, bounding onto the stage in tight lycra shorts and providing the biggest laughs.
The cast of House of Blakewell’s THOR AND LOKI. Photo Credit: Geraint Lewis
Yet, while Blake’s tongue-in-cheek script certainly boasts plenty of good gags, the plot could do with tightening up in places and the shoe-string budget doesn’t stretch very far in terms of scenery or costumes with Designer Amy Jane Cook equipping the gods of Asgard with football pads, glitter and lots of gold lame.
That said, amidst the silliness, there is some well-observed comedy with references to real-world politics with songs like BUILD A WALL, a comical number about building a wall around Asgard to control their borders – sound familiar? There’s also a deeper message about self-acceptance and how sometimes our difference can be our strengths.
But, at its heart, THOR AND LOKI is an unashamedly silly and endearingly daft musical pastiche of Norse legend. Step aside Marvel, there’s a new THOR AND LOKI in town.
THOR & LOKI performed at The Lowry, Salford on 22 September 2018.
Donna is the Founder and Editor of Frankly, My Dear UK. By day, she works as a digital marketing specialist, by night she reviews film, theatre and music for a wide range of publications including WhatsonStage and The Reviews Hub. Loves Formula 1, prosecco and life.
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