Doubtlessly one of the most enjoyable shows in the West End right now

In the movie, Mrs Doubtfire throws the TV remote in the fish tank and tells the children that between the hours of 3pm and 7pm, she’s in charge. True to her word, between the hours of 3pm and 5.30pm last Sunday, Mrs Doubtfire and the West End cast of the musical version took charge at the Shaftesbury Theatre and had the audience in the palms of their hands.

Following successful runs in America, and one UK run in Manchester last year, the show is based on the hit 1993 film of the same name. Produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson, it is a hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds. 

Father-of-three and out of work actor Daniel Hillard adores his children. He’ll do anything for them. But after his access to them is restricted in a messy divorce, he creates the alter ego of Scottish Euphegenia Doubtfire, and slips back into the family home as a nanny/housekeeper. Mrs Doubtfire is a self-proclaimed ‘hip old granny who can hip-hop, bebop, dance til ya drop and yo-yo make a wicked cup of cocoa’. As his alter ego takes on a life of its own, Mrs Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about being a father. 

Gabriel Vick stars as Daniel Hillard, with Laura Tebbutt as his soon-to-be ex-wife Miranda Hillard. Vick is light on his feet, has decent comic timing and a warmth to his performance. The number “Easy Peasy” where Daniel learns to cook is his stand-out routine. Doubtfire uses his iPad to watch cookery tutorials, and the chefs, including a tap-dancing version of Nigella Lawson, come to life to take him through his paces. This number is pure razzmatazz, and it also includes the famous breasts on fire scene. Vick’s scene where Daniel does impersonations for the social worker Mrs Sellner (Kelly Agbowu) is very clever, as the impersonations include the likes of Boris Johnson, Prince Charles and all the usual British suspects.

Tebbutt ably assists Vick, but could have featured a little more on the dance-front. Miranda’s career has been tweaked a little, in order to allow some extra numbers and plotlines.

Carla Dixon-Hernandez takes on the role of eldest daughter Lydia Hillard. The character in this version is the same age as the film one, but noticeably more grown-up. There is one poignant scene where Lydia explains to her father how the nanny/housekeeper set up is one-sided, as he may get to see them but they don’t properly get to ‘see’ him. This culminates with the number “Just Pretend”.

Mrs. Doubtfire also introduces Max Bispham, Elliot Mugume and Frankie Treadaway who alternate the role of Christopher Hillard. Meanwhile Scarlett Davies, Angelica-Pearl Scott and Ava Posniak alternate the role of Natalie Hillard. 

Cameron Blakely and Marcus Collins appear as Frank Hillard and his partner Andre. The roles of Frank and Andre are enlarged in this version, and they feature much more than in the film. Their transformation of Daniel into Mrs Doubtfire is played out with the number “Make Me A Woman”, and it is a highlight of the show. Especially considering it ends with the first appearance of Vick as Doubtfire.

Samuel Edwards appears as Miranda’s new squeeze Stuart Dunmire. This role was played by Pierce Brosnan in the film, and it is reduced a little in this version. But Edwards does have one memorable number, “Big Fat No” with Mrs Doubtfire, and there is a humorous reference to Brosnan’s stint as James Bond.

Micha Richardson stars as Janet Lundy, the head of the TV studios Daniel works at when he’s not Mrs Doubtfire. The role was a male one in the film, and it features a little more in the musical version. Only slightly more, but memorably more. Richardson’s haughty demeanour and deadpan delivery provide some comical moments, and her rapport with Gabriel Vick is entertaining as her character thaws and starts to warm to Daniel. 

At two and a half hours including an interval, this show isn’t too long for children and there were several at the gala showing who had big smiles on their faces at the end. But whether you are taking the children, your partner, a date, going with friends or just enjoying a show by yourself, if you liked the movie then you will love this.