Beetlejuice the Musical review: What in the Tim Burton did I just watch?

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Released 38 years ago, Beetlejuice continues to be incredibly popular. Since 1988, this beloved film has inspired both a planned sequel that never materialized and a successful Broadway musical, which is now making its way to London’s West End.

Beetlejuice the Musical is a vibrant and colourful show, despite its spooky, black-and-white aesthetic inspired by Tim Burton’s film. While it looks dark and eerie on the surface, it’s surprisingly full of energy and fun.

This stage production is much more conventional than the original movie. While it tries to present itself as the quirky, unconventional relative of typical West End shows, it frequently replaces the film’s unsettling strangeness with broad, comedic humor similar to Saturday Night Live. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – the famous ‘Day-O’ scene, for example, is expanded into a lively dance number – but it’s good to be aware that this version isn’t aiming for the same dark and unusual tone as the movie, and you shouldn’t expect a performance in the style of Michael Keaton.

Despite its oddness, this show is genuinely enjoyable. The catchy rock music perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster of being a teenager, blending humor and heartfelt moments. The writing is clever too – it playfully pokes fun at itself while also offering sharp commentary on the world around it.

David Flynn is the main source of comedy in the show, and he carries it well. His portrayal of Beetlejuice is reminiscent of Jonah Hill – a fast-talking, energetic character who loves being the center of attention. He seamlessly switches between being mischievous, silly, and a full-blown caricature, and cleverly involves the audience in his wild plans.

The rest of the cast work together incredibly well. Chelsea Halfpenny and David Hunter are charming as the timid Maitlands, and Hannah Nordberg brings heartfelt emotion to the otherwise zany script. Special mention goes to Aimie Atkinson, who brilliantly reimagines Delia, successfully avoiding imitation of the iconic Catherine O’Hara.

Beyond the actors, the set design by David Korins truly shines – it feels like a dynamic, living part of the show. The Maitland’s house isn’t just a backdrop; it transforms convincingly from a comfortable home to a modern showpiece and finally to a spooky, haunted space. And the transitions between scenes, with their striking lighting, perfectly capture the style of Tim Burton.

My main criticism is that some of the dialogue felt unnatural and the sound effects and transitions were a bit rough around the edges. I think this was likely because the show had only just opened on May 20th and hadn’t yet benefited from a longer run and audience reactions to polish things up.

These initial issues will likely be resolved as the cast and crew become more comfortable with the show. It’s important to remember that even successful Broadway shows often need further development when they come to the West End, and the same is true for shows moving in the opposite direction.

But overall, dare I say that Beetlejuice the musical is supernaturally good fun, fun, fun.

Check out the Going Out section and our new theatre podcast In the Interval.

When and where can I see Beetlejuice the Musical?

Beetlejuice is running until 17 April 2027 at the Prince Edward Theatre.

If this is your first time visiting, the venue is located right near Leicester Square. The easiest way to get there is by taking the Northern or Piccadilly Line on the Underground.

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Authors

Olivia Garrett

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2026-05-29 13:34