REVIEW - FREAKY FRIDAY | HOME MANCHESTER | 01/12/2025

Freaky Friday at HOME Manchester – A Joyous, Heart-Filled, Body-Swapping Musical Treat 

Freaky Friday has travelled a long way from Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel to its various Disney screen adaptations, and this UK premiere marks the story’s latest transformation — now reimagined as a high-energy musical. HOME Manchester hosts this new staging, complete with a contemporary score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey and direction from Andy Fickman. With such an established creative team behind it, I was intrigued to see how this familiar tale would land on stage for a new generation of audiences.

At its heart, Freaky Friday remains the story so many of us know: a mum and daughter who clash at every turn, convinced the other has absolutely no idea what their life is really like. This musical leans into that familiar premise but gives it a fresh theatrical twist.

Katherine is juggling her demanding catering business and the pressures of her upcoming wedding, while Ellie is navigating school drama, friendship tensions and the highs and lows of teenage life. Their worlds collide in one explosive argument, and everything changes when a magical hourglass shatters — triggering an accidental body swap that neither of them understands.

From this moment, the show launches into a whirlwind day where both characters must literally live as the other. Katherine is thrown into Ellie’s chaotic school environment, from awkward encounters and friendship politics to a hilariously frantic P.E. lesson. Meanwhile, Ellie suddenly faces the reality of adulthood: running a business, managing responsibilities and preparing for a wedding she isn’t even sure she wants.

The musical numbers help to deepen this storytelling, amplifying both the comedy and the heart. They highlight the generational misunderstandings, the frustrations, and the quiet love that holds the family together beneath it all. The fast-paced structure mirrors the mayhem unfolding onstage, capturing the overwhelming nature of their circumstances without losing clarity or warmth.

As the clock ticks, the show builds towards a touching reconciliation, allowing Katherine and Ellie to finally recognise what the other has been carrying all along. It’s emotional, funny, and beautifully satisfying — a joyful, family-focused ending that feels earned.

David Shields’ set and costume design bring vibrant colour and energy to the stage, with double-sided pieces that effortlessly transport us between school, home and Katherine’s busy working life. The broken clocks and hourglass framing the space add a playful nod to the story’s central chaos. A favourite touch was the way Katherine’s outfit evolved during the show, quietly mirroring Ellie’s teenage energy and giving the story an extra dash of fun.

The lighting by Nick Richings and sound design by Alistair Penman complement the pace and humour perfectly, but for me, the music was the standout element of the show. Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s score is packed with catchy pop-rock energy, grounded emotional moments and witty musical storytelling. Each number feels thoughtfully placed, lifting the comedy or landing the heart exactly when it needs to.

Songs like “Busted,” “I Got This,” “Oh, Biology,” and the beautiful “After All of This and Everything” were true highlights — and the band, under George Strickland’s musical direction, bring the score to life with real warmth and clarity.

Choreographer Alexzandra Sarmiento (with Sam Wilson-Freeman) enhances the music brilliantly, with slick, character-driven moves that add freshness throughout — the P.E. lesson number in particular had the whole audience laughing.

This cast truly brings the heart and humour of Freaky Friday to life, with every performer contributing something memorable.

Rebecca Lock (Katherine) is an absolute standout. Her comedic timing is razor-sharp, her physicality is spot-on, and her vocals are rich and expressive. Watching her switch into teenage mode is a joy — funny, believable and full of heart. Her performance of “After All of This and Everything” was a beautifully timed emotional highlight.

Alongside her, Jena Pandya (Ellie) shines with effortless confidence. She has a powerful voice, bags of charm and a natural instinct for comedy. Whether navigating high-school chaos or trying to tackle adult responsibilities, she’s magnetic on stage. Together, Lock and Pandya share wonderful chemistry, anchoring the show with warmth, tension and real affection.

Ghaith Saleh brings buckets of charisma as Fletcher — an incredibly endearing performance and a delight to watch. Samantha Ho and Beth Savill make Gretchen and Hannah a lively, lovable trio with Ellie, capturing the spirit and energy of teenage friendship.

The wider company adds colour and personality throughout. Ian Virgo delivers a touching performance with a standout ballad, Jessica Butterworth brings just the right amount of Disney-style sass, and Max Mirza perfectly embodies the charming high-school crush. Tori Scott, Ellie Gilbert-Grey, Morgan Gregory, James Stirling, and Catherine Millsom each bring warmth, humour or heart to their roles, while Dylan Gordan-Jones, Waylon Jacobs and Katharine Pearson impress with seamless character changes and strong stage presence.

The ensemble work together brilliantly, creating a company that feels vibrant, dynamic and full of personality.

Freaky Friday at HOME Manchester is a joyful, feel-good musical that blends humour, heart and high-energy fun in all the right ways. It’s a show that celebrates family, understanding and the beautiful chaos of everyday life, making it a perfect choice for audiences of all ages this festive season. I had a smile on my face from start to finish, and it’s clear how much care, talent and warmth has gone into every moment of this production.

This sparkling UK premiere is a fantastic option for a family theatre trip — playful, heartfelt and packed with Disney charm.

A vibrant, heart-filled and wonderfully funny musical that’s impossible not to love.

Freaky Friday is at HOME Manchester until Saturday 10th January 2026. 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 - Mark Senior

*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.