The Karate Kid

Manchester Palace Theatre
12th to 23rd May

Curtain Up: 19:35
Curtain Down: 22:00

*** THE KARATE KID MUSICAL PACKS A MUSICAL PUNCH ***

*** GINO OCHELLO’S KARATE KID IS BOTH DYNAMIC & POWERFUL ***

Eager, giddy excitement on Oxford Road for The Karate Kid - The Musical tonight at Manchester Palace Theatre.

Robert Mark Kamen wrote the original 1984 film. Pulling on his own experience as an eight-year-old in Hawaii who got bullied and learned martial arts to defend himself, he created this semiautobiographical story.

Gino Ochello plays our hero Daniel LaRusso. Daniel gets bullied at school, but when he finds a handyman who helps him to learn karate who grows to stand up to his bullies in this coming-of-age story. Daniel starts karate but soon learns to feel the movements. Gino really conveys this as he develops the character. He plays the role with a strong voice and presence - perfect casting.

Mr Miyagi is played by Adrian Pang who is everything, he brings charisma, charm and humour, he is the mentor we all would love to have in our lives.

Abi Mills who is Daniel’s girlfriend is played by Abigail Amin. Abi is super sweet and
ex-girlfriend of one of Daniel’s main bullies, Johnny Lawrence played by Joe Simmons’ Johnny just happens to be a black belt in karate. Joe plays a wonderful antagonist and is wonderfully dynamic with his steps.

We loved the energetic clever choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid. They have fused dance with martial arts to give us edgy innovative moves that blends perfectly with Drew Gasparini music and lyrics. Drew has stayed faithful to the original with just the addition of one or two characters.

Movement is a key word. The ensemble act as Mr Miyagi’s super power in a kind of Diversity dance performance in 40% of the scenes. They move the props and scenery too. This could be distracting - but if you go with the flow with this direction you’ll have a good night.

Derek McLane sets are sumptuous incorporating Japanese style icon such as Hokusai’s Great wave off Kanagawa. We really enjoyed the way that the overall scenic world is Japanese screens. Projection adds to the performance rather than over powers. So your drawn into the action with strong vivid lighting and costumes. We were happy to see Daniel’s Shower fancy dress costume that we remembered vividly from the film.

We felt the show needed a little chop in parts. It has the makings of a memorable production with just a few tweaks. Songs are pleasant enough but only a handful stick in our conscience when leaving the auditorium. ‘WHO I’M GOING TO BE’ - ‘SLOW SONG’ & ‘THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING’.

Get your self down to Manchester Palace Theatre’s Dojo and see this karate champs winning formula.

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-karate-kid-the-musical/palace-theatre-manchester/