Shoppers and theatre‑goers are flocking to the Dorfman Theatre where a reimagined Pride musical mixes 1980s nostalgia with present‑day urgency; the show’s songs, sharp humour and small but explosive cast make it a must‑see this Pride month in London.

Essential Takeaways

  • Striking atmosphere: The Dorfman’s sepia lighting and an ’80s soundtrack instantly pull you into the era, with a lively, tactile set that shifts from Soho clubs to Welsh valleys.
  • Balanced tone: The production blends real heartbreak , AIDS, miners’ struggles , with irreverent comedy and camp, creating emotional highs and cathartic laughter.
  • Standout performances: Jhon Lumsden and Samuel Barnett bring charisma and a fierce, show‑stopping energy; the ensemble feels tight and committed.
  • Smart staging: Simple scenery is used inventively, while the music drives both narrative and humour; it never feels like a typical musical.
  • Community pulse: The show reframes history as a call to action, leaving audiences energised and reflective as they exit.

A time machine of light and sound that feels eerily timely

Step into the Dorfman and you’re hit with a wash of sepia and an ’80s soundtrack that feels deliciously loud and familiar; Wham!, Pet Shop Boys and Madonna set a playful, nostalgic seam through the show. According to reviews, that audiovisual cocktail does more than evoke an era , it also throws the audience into a mirror of today’s politics, which is both chilling and catalytic. The production uses sensory detail to hook you immediately, and then keeps pulling you through a story that matters.

Why music and humour lift heavy truths

This is a musical that refuses to be mawkish. Music doesn’t just score moments, it punctures them for comedy and catharsis. Critics note how numbers in the show turn prejudice into absurdity , a conservative mob sings reassurances that reveal every lie they believe , and still find room for tender songs about love, fear and resilience. The result is theatrical alchemy: grief and joy living cheek by jowl, which makes the emotional payoff hit harder.

Characters you’ll cheer for , and remember

The cast are compact but capacious: Jhon Lumsden’s Marc Ashton bursts with fundraising fervour, while Samuel Barnett’s Jonathan commands the stage in a red jumpsuit and a memorable monologue that breaks the fourth wall. Reviews praise the way the production dovetails several storylines , coming out, activism, community loss , without ever feeling overstuffed. The human details land: small gestures, confident comic timing and moments that let the audience lean in.

Smart design and brisk storytelling keep it moving

Design choices favour imagination over extravagance. A minimalist set changes tone at the flick of a switch, and yet the sound is big , the National Theatre’s intimacy lets every laugh and sob feel close up. Critics compare the piece to other ensemble shows that trade scale for warmth, and the comparison fits: you come away feeling involved, not lectured. For anyone choosing seats, aim for central stalls to catch the choreography and the faces that sell every line.

A reminder that theatre can prod, comfort and mobilise

What lifts this staging above a faithful adaptation is its insistence on relevance. Reviews describe the show as both a tribute to past solidarity and a prompt to act now , a timely companion to Pride month. Audiences reportedly leave laughing, crying and a little fired up. If theatre’s job is to make you feel part of something, this Pride succeeds.

It's a small theatrical shift that packs a crowd into both memory and momentum.

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