The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾ | Bruiser Theatre Company, Northern Ireland The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 is a musical comedy based on the young-adult novel of the same name by Sue Townsend. With dysfunctional parents, ungrateful elders, a growing debt to school bully Barry Kent and an unruly pimple on his chin, life is hard for a misunderstood intellectual who is only 13 3/4.

CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Lisa May
Musical Director: Matthew Reeve
Costume Design: Carla Barrow
Set Design: Stuart Marshall
Lighting Design: James McFetridge

Matthew Reeve’s musical arrangements cleverly capture the spirit of the ‘80s and offer a saccharine counterpoint to contemporary social issues, like widespread unemployment and the rise of the feminist movement, swirling around a confused adolescent’s quest for love, acne-free skin and intellectual brilliance. Jane Coyle, The Stage

Orla Mullan’s singing soars above the rest of the cast and delivers a Pauline Mole who is beginning to discover her inner female eunuch and its accompanying harm. Alan in Belfast

The production begins with a fabulous ensemble piece, a song full of 80s flashbacks it’s quick in pace and full of iconic references from the Iron Lady to Meg and Mog. It comes in converbelt form almost like the generation game but minus the cuddly toy. The cast sing with such energy I struggle to see how they are still breathing. Emer Dooris

Adam Dougal is well cast as nerdy, bespectacled Adrian, submerged by a grotesque circle of dysfunctional, two-dimensional relatives and neighbours, energetically tackled by his fellow cast members. Jane Coyle, The Stage

Adam Dougal has mastered the look and feel of young Moley with his several inches too short school trousers hinting at parental neglect. Colette Lennon adapts accent between her roles and plays Pandora with a posh lisp and a presence that nicely clashes with the heavy Leicester vibe. Alan in Belfast

This will not be to everyone's taste but when the Bruiser Theatre Company do something they do it well and this is no exception. The cast is excellent – Colette Lennon, Gerard McCabe, Orla Mullan and Keith Lynch play various roles, with Adam Dougal as Adrian. The Irish News

As Always Stuart Marshall’s set design is perfectly suited to the play, from the giant book cover at the start to the many, many moving parts that twist and transform for each scene. Never taking away from the action but giving enough to inform us of where it’s taking place. Sounds design, lighting, costumes and all the crew involved should be commended also. Pastie Bap

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The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4

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