The Book of Mormon Musical

A musical comedy all about religion is always going to divide people.

Risque jokes, costumes, dances are the staple diet of this musical which first hit Broadway in 2011. Times and attitudes have changed, so it’s a brave production to stage.

But judging by the reaction of the audience at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow, it’s a musical set to entertain for many years to come.

The story follows two missionaries sent to preach the Mormon religion to a Ugandan village, much to the disappointment of star pupil Elder Price (Adam Bailey), who really hoped he was being sent to Orlando.

His heartbreak is added by the fact he is coupled with Elder Cunningham (Sam Glen) who admits to being a compulsive liar.

With a traditional lion king send off at the airport, the two land in Uganda to find apathetic locals, no baptisms or conversions to their religion and a totally different way of living.

It’s a delight to see the two in action as they try to persuade the villagers to believe the teachings of the Mormons, which is not easy when the locals don’t think divine powers will help their world of famine, AIDS and tyranny.

There’s lots of colour, dazzling dancing and plenty of songs like I Believe, Man Up, from the two Elders, who are joined by Nabulungi (Nyah Nish) also called Nutella, Neutrogena and Nigel Farage, captivating the audience with tunes like Sal Tlay Ka Siti.

The three are joined by a strong cast of Elder McKinley (Tom Bales), Mafala Hatimbi (Kirk Patterson), Price’s dad, Joseph Smith and mission president (Will Barratt), along with General (Rodney Earl Clarke).

Tolu Ayanbadejo, Dan Burstow, Hayden Cable and Benjamin Cameron, Olympia Curry, Daniel George-Wright, Daniel David Griffith, Savannah Hall, Alex Hayden, Aaron Levi, Zachary Loonie, Jake Reynolds, Kayode Salina, Daniel David Griffiths and Harry Simpson, make up the ensemble, with Jay Anderson, Will Carey, Kanoumah Diguet, Eden Lindsay, Betram Okoro, Rory Shafford (dance captain), Elliot Swann and Harry Winchester completing the swing section. Jessica Oppong is the assistant dance captain.

The book, music and lyrics are the works of South Park’s Trey Parker and Matt Stone and their sense of humour shines through.

Hats off to Stephen Ormeus for the musical supervision and Scott Pask and Ann Roth for scene and costume design.

If you fancy a non pc laugh, plenty of song and colour, head to the altar of The Book of Mormon which is currently playing at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow until 31^st May before heading to Nottingham from 3^rd to 28^th June, Cardiff from 1^st to 19^th July, Newcastle, 22^nd July to 9^th August, Norwich, 19^th to 30^th August, Aberdeen, 3^rd to 20^th September, Liverpool, 30^th September to 18^th October, Bristol, 21^st October to 8^th November, Leeds, 11^th to 29^th November, with the show winding up over in Milan from 10^th to 21st December 2025.

For more information and ticket availability for the shows, please visit: www.atgtickets.com or www.thebookofmormonmusical.com.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.

Photographs courtesy of The Book of Mormon