13 Going on 30 | Manchester Opera House

Movie to musical adaptations are becoming the new trend within the musical theatre industry, so it would feel fitting for 2000's cult classic 13 Going On 30 to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. With a movie full of iconic lines and scenes, as well Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo as the leads, does this stage adaptation honour the show's legacy?

With a book by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Cusp, there are many nods to the iconic film which is enough to delight fans of the movie. The story follows 13 year old Jenna Rink who desperately wishes to fit in and wants to be 30, as that's where life truly begins according to Poise, the 'in' fashion magazine. On her birthday, she uses wishing dust gifted by her best friend Matt Flamhaff and all her wishes come true - she's thirty, flirty and thriving, but all this comes at a cost. Unfortunately, Goldsmith and Cusp jump straight into the transition of Jenna becoming a 30 year old, whereas the movie gives opportunity to explore Jenna's feelings and wishes first, therefore it feels like we cannot truly relate or sympathise with Jenna's desire to fit in. Further on from this, in the movie, there is a tender moment where Matt gifts Jenna with a homemade 'Jenna House' with all of Jenna's favourite things inside, and it's in this scene where we truly see how much Matt cares for Jenna. This is a missed opportunity in the musical adaptation where we can truly get a sense of character relationships and motives.

The songs, which are written by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, are a mixed bag. Whilst some of the songs are catchy and upbeat, the lyrics feel uninspired and predictable. The songs truly shine in the more emotional ballads where the lyrics give meaning to the character's feelings and situations, driving the story forward. Adam Fisher's sound design allows for the band to deliver the punchy pop/rock score with gusto, but unfortunately poor sound mixing means that some lyrics during the songs lack in clarity.

The cast are what truly makes this production stand out, with each cast member delivering a lot of heart, depth and commitment to their characters. Lucie Jones plays Jenna with a convincing naivety and is adorkable, which has audiences fully on board with the idea that she is a 13 year old trapped in a 30 year old's body. Jones is a powerhouse vocal performer and she more than delivers with the song material. David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff is equally delightful. Hunter has proven himself to be an incredible storyteller with incredible emotional depth to his performance. The off-stage friendship between Jones and Hunter does wonders for the characters' chemistry, making their dynamic utterly convincing.

13 Going on 30 boasts an incredible selection of upcoming talent with their younger cast members. Amelia Minto and Max Bispham who play younger Jenna and Matt are delightful, bringing youthful charm and oozing in confidence that no doubt is a sign of fulfilling careers ahead. Emmeline D'arcy-Walsh is also stunning as Becky with incredible vocals.

Although stinted with limited stage time, there are many delightful supporting performances. Grace Mouat is devilishly delightful in her villian era, whilst Dominic Andersen brings comedic value as Jenna's famous Canadian hockey player boyfriend. Iván Fernández González gives a captivating performance throughout the ensemble choreographed numbers and Caleb Roberts is hilarious as the overdramatic Richard.

Andy Fickman's direction and Jennifer Weber's choreography maintains the momentum of the show. However, certain scenes felt a little lacklustre. For example, the playground scene between Jenna and Matt could have been opportunity for plenty of theatre magic to take place, but it falls short with underwhelming direction. Further to this, the moment in which Jenna changes from 13 to 30 years old feels a little clunky and takes away from the illusion.

Colin Richmond's set design allows for different locations, although this also feels like another uninspired aspect, with the show heavily relying on projections, and when utilised, the set changes feel clunky with actors moving the set pieces around too often. George Reeve's video projection is most effective when projecting pictures of the cast when they were younger and audience members onto the screens in the finale, feeling fitting with the overall message of the show. Throughout the show, the use of AI generated images for characters is used too often, where the photographs only slightly resemble the cast, and the AI generated scenic views lack inspiration. Gabriela Tylesova's costume design is vibrant and nostalgic and alongside Howard Hudson's lighting design, they provide necessary visuals to the show.

Whilst certain elements of production design hinder the overall quality of the show, there is no doubt that this is a perfectly enjoyable and entertaining visit to the theatre. Fans will revel in the ability to see iconic lines and scenes play out before them, as well as being stunned by the incredible talent that's on offer on the Opera House stage.

13 Going On 30 is celebrating its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House, with performances running up until 12th October 2025.

★★★☆☆ (3*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Pamela Raith