REVIEW - A KNIGHT'S TALE THE MUSICAL | MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE | 08/05/2025

Heading into A Knight’s Tale: The Musical, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hadn’t seen the 2001 Columbia Pictures film it’s based on, so I went in completely fresh. But from the very first moments, it was clear this wasn’t going to be your typical period piece.

This brand-new musical, receiving its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House, is adapted for the stage by Irish comedy writer and actor Brona C Titley. It’s directed by the award-winning Rachel Kavanaugh (The Wind in the Willows) and choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Matt Cole (Newsies), with production from Runaway Entertainment – the team behind Newsies, 2:22 – A Ghost Story, and Girl From The North Country.

What unfolds is a gloriously over-the-top blend of medieval mischief, dazzling choreography, and a jukebox soundtrack bursting with pop and rock anthems. It’s bold, brash, and completely bonkers – in the best way possible.

The story follows William Thatcher (Andrew Coshan), a determined young peasant who dreams of becoming a knight. When his master, Sir Ector (Ryan Pidgen), dies suddenly before a jousting match, William seizes the chance to step into the armour himself. Disguising his identity, he poses as a nobleman and enters the competitive world of jousting.

With the help of his loyal friends Roland (Emile Ruddock) and What (Eva Scott), William adopts the alias “Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein.” Together, they plot his rise to knighthood, enlisting the help of the hilariously eccentric Geoffrey Chaucer (Max Bennett)—a down-on-his-luck writer who becomes William’s herald and spins the elaborate noble lineage required to fool the tournament officials.

As the group travel from contest to contest, William’s legend grows—and so does their makeshift team. They’re soon joined by Kate (Emily Benjamin), a gifted blacksmith with a sharp tongue and even sharper skills, who helps keep William’s armour intact and his dream alive.

Amidst the pageantry and spectacle, William falls head over heels for Princess Jocelyn (Meesha Turner), a fiercely independent royal with a mind of her own. Their love story adds both warmth and humour to the tale.

But not everyone is cheering William on. His meteoric rise catches the attention of Count Adhemar (Oliver Tompsett), a powerful and ruthless nobleman who becomes his fiercest rival—both in the joust and in love. With tensions mounting and secrets threatening to unravel, William must decide how far he’s willing to go to “change his stars.”

What follows is a rollicking, romantic, underdog adventure packed with humour, heart, and more than a few surprises

The staging is bold and brilliantly inventive, transforming the stage into a makeshift jousting arena, a royal court, and everything in between. The use of stilts and oversized horse puppets for the jousting scenes was inspired – a stroke of theatrical magic that got a big cheer from the audience every time.

The visual feast continues with Gabriella Slade’s costume design, which gleefully blends medieval flair with glam-rock attitude. Think leather, studs, glitter, and just the right amount of sparkles. The lighting and pyrotechnics amped up the drama, and one jaw-dropping entrance saw Kate the blacksmith emerge from the floor like a pop diva, with fire coming up out of the orchestra pit and and sparks coming down from the ceiling.

Musically, this show hits all the right notes. The soundtrack is a jukebox lover’s dream, with tracks like “Tubthumping” turned into a hilarious training montage and “Take On Me” used during a high-octane sword fight. The arrangements were fresh and theatrical, with powerhouse harmonies that gave familiar tunes a brand-new shine.

The choreography was another highlight – fast, fierce, and full of character. Whether it was knights in training, nuns grooving to pop hits, or a full-cast dance-off, it was impossible not to be swept up in the momentum

Andrew Coshan leads the cast as William with irresistible charisma, heartfelt charm, and vocals that truly pack a punch. His performance anchors the show with warmth and confidence, and his chemistry with Meesha Turner’s Jocelyn crackles with intensity. Their relationship is portrayed with both humour and tenderness, with just the right dash of cheeky, family-friendly passion.

Meesha Turner is a force as Jocelyn – bold, commanding, and vocally brilliant, bringing real presence and purpose to the role. Emily Benjamin’s Kate is another standout – fierce, funny, and scene-stealing throughout. Her powerhouse vocals at the top of Act Two earn some of the night’s loudest cheers.

Max Bennett is a total riot as Geoffrey Chaucer, making a jaw-dropping first entrance by strutting almost stark naked down the aisle of the auditorium – a moment that immediately sets the tone for his whip-smart, fourth-wall-breaking narration and playful connection with the audience. He keeps the pace electric and the laughs rolling with every appearance.

Emile Ruddock (Roland) and Eva Scott (What) bring brilliant comic timing and real heart to their roles as William’s loyal companions. Meanwhile, Oliver Tompsett oozes menace and swagger as Count Adhemar, turning “I Am The One and Only” into a show-stopping villain anthem.

The ensemble are nothing short of sensational – bursting with energy, versatility, and razor-sharp precision. Whether rallying crowds, becoming gospel-singing nuns, or stepping into battle, they’re the lifeblood of the production and hold the whole show together in spectacular style.

A Knight’s Tale: The Musical is a raucous, high-energy adventure that effortlessly jousts its way into your heart. With bold performances, a pop rock-infused soundtrack, and a stage bursting with excitement, this spectacle is an absolute crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect mix of romance, rivalry, and cheeky comedy, making it a show you won’t want to miss.

Whether you’re a fan of the film or experiencing the story for the first time, you’ll be swept up in the infectious energy, rooting for the underdogs and loving every moment. It’s a celebration of friendship, dreams, and a bit of madness—an unforgettable ride from start to finish.

Long may it joust.

A Knight’s Tale is a show that will have you on your feet and grinning all the way home!

A Knight’s Tale: The Musical is at the Manchester Opera House until Saturday 10th May 2025. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.

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If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.

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Photo Credit - Johan Persson