REVIEW - SOMETHING ROTTEN! | MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE | 26/06/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- Jun 28
- 6 min read
Something Rotten at Manchester Opera House – The UK's Funniest New Musical
After years of hearing theatre fans ask when Something Rotten! would finally make its way to the UK, the answer has arrived at Manchester Opera House — and it proves to have been well worth the wait.
Originally premiering on Broadway in 2015, the musical has built a devoted following thanks to its irresistible blend of Shakespeare, musical theatre references and unapologetically ridiculous comedy. Nearly a decade later, British audiences finally have the opportunity to discover what so many theatre fans have been talking about.
From the moment the curtain rises, it's clear that Something Rotten! knows exactly what it wants to be.
Big, bold, brilliantly bonkers and gloriously funny.
Watching the reaction inside Manchester Opera House, it was difficult not to wonder why UK audiences have had to wait so long for this production. From the opening number onwards, laughter echoed around the auditorium, applause regularly interrupted the action and by the final curtain there was a genuine sense that audiences knew they had witnessed something special.
Set in 1590s London, Something Rotten! follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, two struggling playwrights desperately trying to make a name for themselves in a world where one man dominates the theatre scene: William Shakespeare.
While Shakespeare enjoys celebrity status and sold-out productions, the Bottom brothers find themselves constantly one step behind. Determined to finally outshine the Bard, Nick turns to the eccentric soothsayer Nostradamus, hoping a glimpse into the future will provide the inspiration he desperately needs.
What he discovers is that the future of theatre lies in something called... a musical.
Unfortunately, somewhere between prophecy and reality, things become more than a little confused.
Instead of uncovering Hamlet, the Bottom brothers find themselves creating Omelette: The Musical.
Yes, really.
From that point onwards, the show embraces its wonderfully absurd premise with complete confidence, delivering two and a half hours of escalating theatrical chaos that never loses sight of its heart.
The book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell is razor-sharp, with jokes arriving at such a relentless pace that the audience barely gets chance to recover before the next one lands. Puns, visual gags, Shakespeare references and musical theatre in-jokes are layered throughout, rewarding repeat viewings while never becoming overwhelming.
What impressed me most was how accessible the comedy remains. Musical theatre fans will undoubtedly have great fun spotting the countless references woven throughout the evening, but you certainly don't need an encyclopaedic knowledge of Broadway—or even Shakespeare—to enjoy yourself. Beneath all the theatrical nods is a genuinely funny story about ambition, family, self-belief and discovering your own voice.
The audience response throughout the performance was extraordinary. Several punchlines generated such sustained laughter that the following lines were almost completely drowned out. More than once, people around me were still laughing at one joke while another had already arrived.
I honestly cannot remember the last time I laughed this much at a musical.
There were moments where I found myself wiping tears from my eyes, and judging by the reactions across the auditorium, I certainly wasn't alone.
Visually, Something Rotten! bursts with imagination from the moment the curtain rises.
Colin Richmond's beautifully realised Elizabethan-inspired set transports audiences into the bustling streets of Tudor London, with timber-framed buildings, balconies, staircases and multiple playing levels creating a wonderfully theatrical playground for the action. The design constantly reveals new details while allowing scenes to transition seamlessly without ever slowing the pace of the comedy.
Howard Hudson's lighting plays an equally important role, shifting effortlessly from intimate storytelling to full Broadway spectacle, while Rebecca Brower's costumes strike the perfect balance between period authenticity and theatrical extravagance. Rooted firmly in the Renaissance setting yet full of personality, they embrace the production's heightened sense of humour and become part of the comedy themselves.
Tim Jackson and Claira Vaughan's choreography is another huge highlight. Every ensemble number is delivered with remarkable precision, infectious energy and impeccable comic timing, with routines regularly earning applause before they have even finished. Whether it's intricate tap sequences, full-company production numbers or the wonderfully ridiculous chaos of Omelette, every movement feels purposeful and perfectly judged.
Musically, Something Rotten! is an absolute joy.
The score by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick combines classic Broadway influences with a deep affection for musical theatre itself. The songs are endlessly entertaining, packed with memorable melodies and witty lyrics that reward careful listening, while constantly celebrating—and gently poking fun at—the conventions of the genre.
The standout number is undoubtedly A Musical. As Nostradamus attempts to explain the concept of musicals to a bewildered Nick Bottom, the production launches into one of the funniest and most inventive sequences of the evening. Overflowing with affectionate references, spectacular choreography and visual surprises that seem to escalate with every passing minute, it celebrates everything audiences love about musical theatre while happily poking fun at it at the same time.
Every time it seems as though the number has reached its peak, it somehow manages to find another laugh.
Elsewhere, Hard To Be The Bard allows Shakespeare to revel shamelessly in his own celebrity, while the increasingly absurd Omelette storyline embraces theatrical chaos in the very best way.
The score manages the impressive feat of being genuinely tuneful, consistently funny and completely unforgettable.
With a script that delivers jokes at such a relentless pace, Something Rotten! demands a cast with impeccable comic timing, boundless energy and the confidence to fully embrace its wonderfully ridiculous premise. Thankfully, this company rises to the challenge with ease.
Jason Manford is perfectly cast as Nick Bottom. His natural warmth makes Nick instantly likeable, even as his determination to outshine Shakespeare sends him down increasingly absurd paths. Manford's effortless comic timing keeps the laughs flowing throughout, but he also brings genuine heart to the role, ensuring Nick remains someone audiences can root for from beginning to end. Add to that some impressively strong vocals, and it's a performance that anchors the production beautifully.
Cassius Hackforth is equally impressive as Nick's younger brother Nigel. Bringing sincerity, warmth and quiet charm to the role, Hackforth provides much of the show's emotional core and offers the perfect counterbalance to Nick's larger-than-life personality. His chemistry with Carla Dixon-Hernandez's Portia feels completely natural, giving the production some genuinely touching moments amongst the madness.
Marisha Wallace once again demonstrates exactly why she is one of musical theatre's most exciting performers. Bea could easily become overshadowed in a production packed with big comic characters, yet Wallace commands attention every time she steps onto the stage. Her powerhouse vocals are exceptional, but it was her comic timing that impressed me most. She embraces every joke with complete confidence while ensuring Bea remains a strong, fully realised character in her own right.
Cory English is an absolute delight as Nostradamus and threatens to steal the show every time he appears. His wonderfully eccentric performance, expressive physical comedy and impeccable comic timing generate some of the biggest laughs of the evening. Whether delivering rapid-fire one-liners or embracing the glorious chaos of A Musical, English is simply irresistible to watch.
Yet, for all the production's strengths, the evening ultimately belongs to Richard Fleeshman.
His Shakespeare is nothing short of sensational.
Fleeshman plays Shakespeare with effortless confidence, treating the Bard like the biggest celebrity in England and revelling in every moment of the attention
It's an inspired interpretation that could easily become too much in less capable hands, but Fleeshman judges every moment perfectly. His comic timing is razor-sharp, his stage presence completely commanding and his vocals outstanding throughout.
Every entrance feels like an event, every scene crackles with energy and every appearance earns huge audience reactions. It's a performance that's impossible to take your eyes off.
The supporting company deserve enormous praise too. Whether delivering intricate choreography, lightning-fast scene changes or filling the stage with seemingly endless energy, every member of the ensemble throws themselves wholeheartedly into the production. Their commitment is infectious and plays a huge part in making Something Rotten! such an exhilarating evening of theatre.
Nearly ten years after Broadway audiences first discovered Something Rotten!, the musical finally arrives in the UK and proves itself more than worthy of the anticipation.
Packed with razor-sharp writing, unforgettable songs, spectacular choreography and a cast who throw themselves wholeheartedly into every wonderfully ridiculous moment, this is a production that celebrates everything audiences love about musical theatre while affectionately poking fun at it at the very same time.
It's gloriously silly without ever feeling throwaway, packed with theatrical references without becoming inaccessible and consistently funny from beginning to end. Whether you're someone who delights in spotting every hidden Broadway reference or simply looking for an evening of first-class entertainment, there's an infectious joy about Something Rotten! that's impossible to resist.
As the audience left Manchester Opera House, conversations were filled with people quoting jokes, laughing about favourite moments and trying to remember every musical reference they'd spotted along the way. That, perhaps, says everything you need to know.
The UK premiere could hardly have asked for a stronger debut. If you've been wondering whether Something Rotten! was worth the wait, the answer is a resounding yes.
The funniest musical I've seen in years.
Something Rotten! will be at The Manchester Opera House until Sunday, 19th July 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
For more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the official website.
Photo Credit - Pamela Raith
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