Be More Chill | Old Joint Stock Theatre

The team at the Old Joint Stock Theatre in Birmingham have brought to the stage their most ambitious show yet, with their production of Be More Chill being their largest casted musical to date. And once again, this theatre has hit their mark and defied all expectations of what can be achieved within fringe theatre, with a production of Be More Chill that is inventive, edgy and fresh.

Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini with a book by Joe Tracz and music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, Be More Chill is a sci-fi teen musical which follows Jeremy, an awkward and nerdy teenager who desperately wants to fit in and win the heart of fellow student and theatre-kid Christina Conigula. Upon discovering The Squip, a supercomputer that implants in the brain and teaches you how to be more chill, Jeremy initially thinks that his life is about to level up. And while Jeremy begins to achieve the attention he desires, he begins to learn that it all comes at a cost. Themes of identity, peer pressure, acceptance and the role of technology and AI are all explored here in a way that blends humour and moments of high energy choreography and musical numbers, but really hones into the battles that teenagers face in this modern world. Let's face it, this musical is absolutely whacky but also has a lot of heart, which shines through in all the elements of this production.

After impressing audiences with his take on Jared in the UK and Ireland Tour of Dear Evan Hansen, Tom Dickerson steps into the role of Jeremy in which can only be described as the most fitting next role. Dickerson gives a performance which makes Jeremy hugely likeable and relatable, but what sticks out in particular is the depth in his character portrayal, which has felt lacking in previous productions. Dickerson perfectly balances the relatable comedy, yet the emotional resonance is crystal clear and you can truly get on board with his desire to fit in, particularly in songs such as Loser, Geek, Whatever and More Than Survive. Dickerson is such a captivating performer and it's always a joy to witness his talent on stage.

Fringe theatre gives opportunities for fresh, new talent to be discovered and this is the absolute case here. Stepping into the role of Michael is Jack Carr, who gives a stunning and emotionally charged performance of Michael in the Bathroom, and truly cements the feeling of being left behind in a world that's constantly evolving. Whilst Michael in the Bathroom is a well-known musical theatre anthem, Carr's acting through song brings new meaning and it's an inspired choice. Carr's chemistry with Dickerson is spot on, with Two Player Game being amongst many of the standout numbers of the show.

John OG as Rich, Harry Chamberlain as Jake and Ailsa Erskine as Brooke also emerge as fresh talent and give performances that prove to be worthy of performers to watch out for in the future. Rich's character focuses more on the negative impact of technology and peer pressure, and OG gives executes this perfectly as we witness the decline of his mental health. Unfortunately, the book does lend a hand to a few characters feeling underdeveloped, yet Chamberlain gives a memorable performance with his material as a stereotypical and shallow Jock. Erskine and Maya Jade Frank, as Brooke's bestie Chloe, are also hilarious in their execution of popular school girls, yet Erkinse's portrayal of a girl who hides behind her cheerful and ditzy exterior is extremely sincere.

Steven Rostance steals the show with his multi-roling, and is delightfully hilarious in each role. Jessica Lim stuns with vocal prowess as Jenna, while Shannon Bourne is assured in her role as quirky and authentic Christina. Tommy Fouweather is absolutely spellbinding as The Squip, with physicality that resembles a robot and an eerie and menacing presence that perfectly encapsulates the negative impacts of technology.

An honourable mention must go to Liam Alexandru's video design which is inventive and dynamic, and proves that the limitations of black box theatre can be minimised with fresh ideas. The video design sets the plot inside of a video game, with character profiles popping up to aid the story and scene changes being signified by a new level in the game. Video design is used particularly well in the scenes with The Squip, where we see technology evolve The Squip from exposure to pop culture, political leaders and most recently AI. And whilst presented in a comedic and engaging way, it's a fearful reminder of how far technology has come. It's also worth noting that it's worth staying past curtain call, with a marvel inspired end credit that reveals the Old Joint Stock's future programming.

James Edge's direction is ensured that the black box theatre space is utilised well and that the pacing of the show is always pulsating forward, especially in the second act when the stakes are high. William Spencer's choreography is peppy and captivating, and even within the limited space of the theatre, the ensemble are utilised for the high-energy numbers of the show. Reuben Speed's costume design is effective in giving depth to the characters. Paul and Hannah Finch's sound and lighting design is retro and vibrant, further enhancing the gaming vibe throughout the show. Under the musical direction of Callum Thompson, the musical numbers are catchy, infectious and propel the story forwards.

If there's only one slight criticism to be made, it's that unfortunately a couple of technology issues and sound issues made some moments of the show feel slightly disjointed at times. However, this only happened on a couple of occasions and with the show still only being in its early days, this can be forgiven. Once ironed out, the technical elements of the show are one of the many highlights that his production has to offer.

The intimate space of the Old Joint Stock Theatre as well as the inventive production design, stellar cast and high energy musical numbers make this an infectious and fun evening at the theatre. After all,"it's better than drugs, Jeremy."

Be More Chill runs for a limited time at the Old Joint Stock Theatre until 31st August 2025.

Tickets and More Information

★★★★★ (5*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Perro Loco Productions