A musical adaptation that misses the mark
The classic road trip movie Thelma & Louise has long been an emblem of female power and defiance. Released in 1991, the blockbuster had a stellar cast of Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, as well as launching the career of Brad Pitt and screenwriter Callie Khouri taking home the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Khouri is also attached to the musical re-staging, writing the book while singer-songwriter Neko Case is behind the music. Adapting Thelma & Louise for the stage is a bold choice given the vast landscape that is almost its own character in the movie, but choosing a musical version is even stranger.
Young Vic artistic director Nadia Fall writes that she’d like for younger audiences to see the story at this theatre ‘for the very first time’. However the set piece of a smashed, upside down car revealed in the opening number would somewhat ruin the ending for any of these wishfully imagined first-time viewers. Except, this car (or any kind of car) never reappears for the entire (lengthy) production, managing to both spoil the ending from the start and make the iconic final moments totally anticlimactic.
When it comes to the music, unfortunately Case’s entire score is relatively tuneless, with plenty of Southern gusto injected into the lines and lyrics, which often feel hastily shoved together simply because the words rhyme. Thelma laments how her vacation has been ‘blown up like the Death Star’, just one of many cringe-worthy lines in the heavily repetitious songs.
Even the strong ensemble cannot save this production, and it is exceptionally strong. Headed up by Amy Lennox as Thelma and Rachel Tucker as Louise, the two leads are backed by a talented and energetic ensemble. Trevor Dion Nicholas plays the empathic detective Hal, with the script introducing an interesting racial layer not featured in the original screenplay.
Lennox and Tucker are strong vocalists, with an undeniable chemistry both with each other and the smitten audience. Lennox portrays the dynamic character arc of Thelma perfectly, morphing from beaten-down housewife to seasoned criminal. The side characters are each individually portrayed with great depth, every performer enthusiastically throwing themselves into each neatly choreographed line dance.
With the songs removed and a tighter, shorter script, this could be something really special. The pace does pick up significantly in the second act, but it’s too little too late and the lacklustre ending leaves the audience on a low.
Thelma & Louise runs at the Young Vic until 24 October 2026. Tickets here.