Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody | Underbelly Boulevard Soho

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Parody Musical comes in hot and fast as a fabulous new cheeky musical, gifting London theatregoers the opportunity to experience this successful off-Broadway and Fringe Favourite for themselves. Based on the 2025 sensation series Heated Rivalry, based on the books by Rachel Reid, which took the internet by storm; this parody musical dials up the drama (and heat).

Written by Dylan Marcaurele, (Pop Off Michelangelo), and directed by Alan Kliffer (Artistic Director of Asylum NYC Chelsea), this 75-minute-long parody promises a fabulous time. Marcaurele's writing is clever, witty and thoroughly unserious, weaving in pop culture and musical theatre references in through the score, packing the dialogue with puns that have the audience laughing out loud. Marcaurele's writing is armed with jokes and under Kliffer's direction, these have explosive reactions from the audience. The musical ensures that everyone, whether they've seen the series or are totally new to this franchise, understand the characters and thin plot well. Marcaurele has clearly understood Heated Rivalry is "for women by a woman", along with the social media frenzy that occurred after the series first dropped and uses this to better inform the musical.

The soundtrack has been so popular that it has already been released as a cast album, with the original off-Broadway cast earlier this year. Marcaurele has proven his talent for writing catchy pop numbers and soulful ballads with his previous work, and this show is even more impressive given he is now working off of an already existing story. Marcaurele's lyrics are genius and have the audiences in stitches, especially as the funniest of songs are often performed quite seriously with a brilliant paradox of music versus lyrics. The songs are catchy and stick in your head. and really do help cover nine years well in a short show. Despite being a parody, Marcaurele ensures that the quality is excellent, demanding the cast to showcase their vast vocal talent and range with powerful moments, incredible belts and countless riffes amongst the (at times) tongue twisting lyrics.

The musical is introduced to audiences by Susan (May Tether), a passionate fan of the show who opts to send her husband and children away whenever possible to sit down with a bottle of wine and fall in love with the characters. Fellow women, Susan and Susan (Sylvie Stenson and Andrew Berlin) are as equally obsessed with the show, as they all excitedly clue audiences into the plot of the series. Tether's Susan becomes the narrative force behind the piece, checking in on audiences and throwing out comments that help hype the musical up further. Berlin, Stenson and Tether also multi role, becoming characters within the world of Heated Rivalry too.

Heated Rivalry follows the adorable and innocent Hockey Player Shane Hollander (Zheng Xi Yong) as he finds himself trapped by his ruthless mother who is obsessed with winning, his internal pressure to be number one, and struggling to be himself in a world that dictates him to be a certain way. His cold and strong competitor, Ilya Rozanov (Joe Dann) finds himself also stressed by his overbearing Russian father, the loss and guilt of his late mother and most importantly, being the butt of every joke... due to his huge ass. The two characters find themselves in a passionate secret and super steamy affair off the ice as they continue to compete with one another. As this affair continues, Shane and Ilya develop real feelings for one another, but a series of circumstances prevent them from confessing, before a surprise twist paves the way for them to come together, in more ways than one.

The cast, under Kliffer's direction, have been given the green signal to engage with the material with a sweet sincerity that leaves audiences spluttering with laughter. How Yong manages to sing "this f**k felt different from the last f**k" with a straight face in an emotional number is beyond one's comprehension, and yet it's because there is so much heart to the characters that audiences fall in love with their love story all over again. The show could very easily fall into the trap of favouring the humour and forgetting the heart, but Marcaurele and Kliffer toe the line perfectly. The cast also know when to give into the campness of the show and really hammer it up, with flirtatious winks, side eyes and letting it loose as they become exaggerated and over the top caricatures of stereotypes.

Stenson demonstrates fantastic vocals and riffs that are scene stealing, as she indulges in the silliness of the piece. She takes on a multitude of roles, including Shane's mother, in a hilarious role that has the audience laughing out loud as she belittles her son with passive aggressive compliments and a fiery temper when he doesn't win. Tether's vocals are impressive, bringing the house down at times and reminding audiences just how talented she is as both Susan and Shane's Hollywood date. Her short stint as Ilya's dead mother has the audience chuckling as she flourishes the show's campy nature.

Berlin takes on a hilariously camp portrayal of a Susan, complete with the wig as he excitedly ingests the steamy show. Berlin also takes on the role of Ilya's father in a stereotypical role that is offensively the funniest reveal of the show. With the bald cap and costume, Berlin's callous portrayal is outstandingly funny. However, Berlin shines brightest as Kip as he meets his Mr. Right (Scott Hunter, another Hockey Player). The show invites (picks) an audience participant to take on the role of Scott, presenting them with a script and a seat on stage, which results in a scandalously funny sequence where Berlin manages to not only improvise and match the participant, but elevate the whole scene with a winning performance.

Dann and Yong are well cast, with fantastic chemistry that has the audience rooting for them no matter what. Dann is magnetic and divine as Ilya, creating a stormy fortress of an exterior that harbours a vulnerable and sweet soul. Dann's Ilya is stand-offish and cold, yet can melt around Shane, making him particularly endearing especially when he's subjected to verbal abuse by his father. Dann shines in the role, but it's in his solo Big Ass, Cold Heart and its reprise where he not only keeps a solemn face and sorrowful physicality, but demonstrates goosebump inducing vocals that are powerful and stirring.

Yong manages to bring out every nuance of Shane Hollander, wearing his heart on his sleeve as he goes through an emotional rollercoaster. Yong is dazzling in the role, ensuring that the character is just as adorkable and naive as he is meant to be. Much of the internet's frenzy with Heated Rivalry stems down to Shane Hollander and Yong has clearly done his research. Yong nails the optimistic and hopeful golden retriever energy of Shane, making the character ever more irresistibly sweet. Yong also brings out his gorgeous vocals, as he showcases his range.

Sully Ross' set design does a great job at setting the scene, often using small amounts of wallpaper, flags or bedsheets on movable boards; the famous cottage at the end is a sweet reveal. Brooke Engen and Tiffany Engen's choreography can at times feel a little too crammed for the small stage, but it's impressive nonetheless to see the cast of five recreate a hockey match, or the more intimate sequences that are fast snapshots at something much bigger. Devin Cameron's lighting design is immersive, turning the entire auditorium into its stage with colourful lighting around the seats at certain scenes. Conjoined with Germán Martinez's sound design, pre-recorded moments of internal dialogue is played as a voice over using dramatic spotlights. Brendan McCann's costuming is detailed, resembling the series with its own unique styling, that is practical for stage and quick changes.

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Parody Musical is the perfect steamy remedy for fans of the series, or really just anyone who is up for a good musical time. The musical scores on every front and audiences are safe in the knowledge that they will have a pucking good time.

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Parody Musical is playing at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho until the 1st of November - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★★ (5*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Matt Crockett