Dear Evan Hansen: Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
7th February 2025
★★★★
Following much success on Broadway, the London’s West End and having been adapted to a hit film, Pasek and Paul’s show Dear Evan Hansen is currently touring the UK. The moving show about isolation, mental health, lies, social anxiety and making connections hits a nerve with audience members of all ages. The Tony and Grammy winning story broke box-office records when it opened at the Music Box Theatre in New York and now it is continuing to play to sold-out runs as fans finally get a chance to see it in their hometown on its UK Tour.
The tour remains true to the original theatre production, with the script and score remaining almost the same. Fans of the film may be disappointed to see that some of the additions such as ‘The Anonymous One‘ are not included in this current tour. The cast are exceptional and Evan’s character is in safe hands with Ryan Kopel leading the show brilliantly. He manages to showcase Evan’s awkwardness and anxiety from the start and carries this anxious energy throughout the show. Audiences can’t help but feel for Evan and Kopel’s raw emotion throughout the show is superb. ‘Words Fail‘ is an absolute highlight and is gut wrenching to watch. With such a hard-hitting show there are also comic moments with Jared, Evan’s ‘family’ friend, who is played brilliantly by Tom Dickerson. Another stand out performer is Alice Fearn who plays Heidi Hansen. Her vocals are superb, as audiences have come to expect from the well-rounded star, but it is her emotional conviction, particularly during the second act, that really makes her character stand out. Vivian Panka is also impressive as Alana Beck with strong vocals.
As mentioned before, the show is an almost replica of the original West End production in terms of script and score with the main changes being to the set. The set designed by Morgan Large, features automated set pieces to give the impression of different locations. It relies less on the large digital displays which were a big focus during the West End production – however there are some scaled down projections which are still used to great effect during some of the musical numbers such as ‘You Will Be Found‘. It was also very good to see the inclusion of the deaf community in these scenes with some of the videos being signed. The overall effect is really good and given that it is a tour set it works very well. Lighting by Matt Daw, is also very effective with some moments playing on the lyrics, for example in ‘For Forever’ brilliantly.
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have won countless awards for the emotional score including a Tony Award for Best Score and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics and their iconic music is moving with the lyrics being truly thought provoking. The choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille tries to replicate the frantic feel of Evan’s mind and encompasses the feeling that time moves on, regardless of what is happening, the situation you are in and how you are feeling. The ensemble are not featured heavily in this production, mostly used for moving scenery, and at times some of the transitions feel slightly long. However, what is very poignant in this production is the use of silence – during these moments it feels as though the audience are literally holding their breath.
Dear Evan Hansen is not an easy watch. It is hard-hitting and heart wrenching to watch Evan’s story unfold. Yet at same time it is so important. No one should feel alone. In a world where social media is so important and influential it’s easy to see why and how people create new lives and yet can end up isolating themselves even further. Dear Evan Hansen’s message is about accepting who you are and being yourself. ‘No one deserves to disappear’ as we are told through the poignant songs however this is what social media so often does. The characters Alana and Jared show us how powerful the world of social media can be and also how easy it is to hide behind the anonymity of it. The use of Connor, played by Killian Thomas Lefevre, appearing as Evan’s conscience is also a clever touch as he battles with telling the truth and losing his new found family. Dear Evan Hansen has become a major hit across the world and it is obvious why. The story of longing to have a real connection with others, be it family, friends or even yourself, will resonate with a multigenerational audience. With tickets selling fast, do not miss out the chance to see this iconic musical as it continues its tour across the UK.
Dear Evan Hansen continues to tour until July 2025, for tickets and information click here.
Photo Credit: Marc Brenner
Musical Manda 
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