The Mad Ones at the Old Joint Stock - Review

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Thu 24 Oct 2024 - Tue 29 Oct 2024

Originally premiered in the United States as The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown, the Old Joint Stock production brings this warm-hearted musical, renamed The Mad Ones, to Birmingham.

The story begins with Samantha seated at the wheel of a car trying to make a decision - does she follow the paths her mother and boyfriend want for her to go to an Ivy League university and settle down in a steadfast relationship – or does she follow the voice of her friend Kelly who urges her to put her foot down and leave?



Samantha’s choice is complicated by her relationship with Kelly who, we soon learn, is actually dead, so on top of the stay or go angle there is also the guilt/recovery side to Samantha’s relationship with Kelly.

The production, directed by Emily Susanne Lloyd and designed by Tom McVeigh, makes great use of the intimate space of the theatre at the Old Joint Stock. The action takes place around a reconstructed car which, with a bit of movement and the addition of a duvet, doubles as a bedroom, and it all takes place within touching distance of the audience.

The cast is hugely capable of drawing in the audience, catching our eye and motioning to us so that we all feel part of the story.

Dora Gee is massively relatable as Samantha Brown. She wants to do the right thing but, when everyone is pulling her in a different direction, what is the right thing? Within moments of her stepping onto the stage, Dora has won the audience over and we too want what’s best for her.

Safia Bartley brings a touch of mischief to best friend Kelly so that we feel the attraction of the strength of her personality. She’s full of life, eager to explore and discover – which, of course, makes her untimely death all the more of a loss.

The dependable but dull boyfriend Adam is played by Ryan Bartholomew who brings plenty of humour to the role. And Thea Jo Wolfe is the driven mum Beverly who is both an annoying pushy mother but also a woman whose goal is ultimately her daughter’s happiness.



Written by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk, The Mad Ones, has a lively soundtrack with a string of memorable and touching songs including the title track, Moving On, Go Tonight and Say The Word. The cast are all fantastic singers who fill the room with the tunes, helped by the live soundtrack provided by musical director Callum Thompson on keyboards, Gilbert Price on guitar and Taz Duval on violin.

This is a great production of a musical which, while being lots of fun, is a touch weak on story. The ‘should I stay or should I go’ question is nothing new and it needs more flesh on the bones to keep us hooked. It feels like we know from the outset which path Samantha will take and we’re simply going along with her for two hours as she finally makes that decision.

However, this is a brilliant production of the musical, well worth catching in the small space at the Old Joint Stock if only for some wonderful performances by a young cast.

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