A Brief History of Musical Theatre at Edinburgh New Town Church Review
A Brief History of Musical Theatre is a 90-minute journey through the history of musical theatre, spanning from the 1800s until the modern day. From the early operetta to the splendour and spectacle of the 1980s mega hits, right up to the modern era of adaptations and jukebox musicals, this show combines iconic songs with dialogue about the cultural context of each piece, and how the art form has grown and developed.
This was always going to be an ambitious production, with dozens of shows and composers incorporated in various ways. Opening with a number from The Black Crook, the show quickly established itself with witty commentary on the number, emphasising that theatre often does not reflect modern opinions. The next 100 or so years were a whistle-stop tour through the likes of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lionel Bart and George and Ira Gershwin. As we reached the 1980s, the pace slowed a bit as we were taken on a tour through many mega musicals, such as Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. The cast performed every number with gusto and reverence, with a strong balance of solos, duets, medley and large ensemble numbers to give each performer an opportunity to stand in the spotlight. The commentary alongside the songs provided wider context as to why some of these songs were so influential.
As the set list moved into the 21st century, we enjoyed performances from shows that are arguably more varied in their longevity- for example, do Death Becomes Her, Shrek and Made in Dagenham have a rightful place in the same lineup as the likes of Oklahoma and West Side Story when it comes to cultural impact? Perhaps it would have been beneficial to end on one a show that has already began to solidify its cultural impact, rather than cramming in a couple of shows from the last couple of years.
I was also incredibly surprised by the complete omission of a single Disney show, given that Disney Theatrical Productions is one of the biggest production companies in history. Omitting the work of highly influential composers Menken and Ashman seems like a huge oversight- especially given how much time was spent on discussing film to theatre adaptations later in the show.
A Brief History of Musical Theatre is a fun and informative revue performed by a talented and enthusiastic cast. Whether you're a fan of theatre's golden age or more contemporary shows of the modern day, there's sure to be something in the setlist for everyone.
A Brief History of Musical Theatre plays at The Sanctuary at Edinburgh New Town Church until 14 August.
★★★★
Written by Jacqueline for Theatre and Tonic, August 2026.
