REVIEW: The Book of Mormon at Newcastle Theatre Royal

The Book of Mormon

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Until Saturday 9 August 2025

Possibly the rudest—and funniest—musical to hit Newcastle this year has arrived at the Theatre Royal for a three-week run, and it’s a fun ride for the broad minded members of the audience. After its highly anticipated debut in the North East, The Book of Mormon is back, and audiences are turning out in force for what many are calling a must-see comedy phenomenon. Judging by the packed mid-week crowd, the buzz surrounding this irreverent musical hasn’t diminished—and with good reason.

Written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez—the creators of South Park, Team America, and Avenue Q—this musical has already scooped up nine Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards. Now, it’s delighting (and possibly offending) theatre-goers in equal measure here in the heart of Newcastle.

At its core, The Book of Mormon follows two idealistic 19-year-old missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they set off on their two-year mission. Their destination? Uganda—not exactly the Florida paradise one of them was dreaming of. The contrast between the confident, rule-abiding Elder Price (Adam Bailey) and the bumbling, imaginative Elder Cunningham (Sam Glen) forms the comedic backbone of the story.

As soon as the pair arrive in Uganda, they’re greeted not with open arms, but with a swift dose of reality. Their luggage is stolen by local warlord enforcers, and culture shock sets in almost immediately. The villagers, led by Mafala Hatimbi (Kirk Patterson) and his daughter Nabulungi (Nyah Nish), introduce the pair to the now-infamous local motto: Hasa Diga Eebowai (which, let’s just say, is not “Hakuna Matata”).

The show is outrageous, clever, and very, very funny. Its humour is often crude—there are diarrhoea jokes, outrageous names like “General Butt-F***ing Naked,” and plenty of adult content—but it’s also sharply satirical. The writers use laugh-out-loud comedy to explore serious topics including colonialism, religious dogma, poverty, AIDS, and even Female Genital Mutilation. Yes, The Book of Mormon really goes there—and somehow manages to still keep you laughing throughout.

That said, this is not a show for the easily offended or the under-15s. If you’re a fan of South Park, Team America, or Avenue Q, you’re probably already in the zone. But if musicals like The Sound of Music are more your style, then this could be a culture shock of your own.

The ensemble cast, however, are do a cracking job keeping everyone entertained. Though we’re withholding names, every member of the company brings energy, wit, and excellent comic timing to the production. Elder Price is played with pitch-perfect arrogance and charm, while Cunningham is a lovable ball of nervous energy and imagination, there is something very funny from the moment Sam Glen appears during Hello! Nabulungi provides an emotional anchor to the otherwise manic plot, while Mafala and the supporting missionaries round out a dynamic ensemble.

Standout musical numbers include the hilariously upbeat opener Hello!, the shocking and funny Hasa Diga Eebowai, and the incredibly catchy Turn It Off—a showstopper complete with sparkling waistcoats and unexpected dance breaks. “I Believe” delivers a soaring solo moment. Sal Tlay Ka Siti offers a sweet, satirical dream of hope through the eyes of Nabulungi, and gives Nyah Nish a chance to show the warmth of her charming singing voice.

The music, delivered live under the direction of a tight pit band, under musical director Danny Belton, is brilliantly orchestrated and full of surprises. Whether it’s gospel, pop, or full-blown Broadway ballads, every number lands with precision and flair. After all, in interviews Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez admit their love of the musical format and that comes through. 

Visually, the production is slick and fast-paced. Scenic transitions are seamless thanks to the hardworking backstage crew. The set design, lighting, and costumes all support the action and tone of the show—balancing the absurd with the grounded. The choreography by Casey Nicholaw is punchy, polished, and very funny in its own right, especially when combined with the show's tongue-in-cheek tone.

The direction by Nicholaw and Parker keeps everything moving briskly. The show clocks in at two hours plus interval, but it never feels long. Every scene, every line, and every look from the actors seems to earn a laugh from the audience.

But what about the show’s message beneath all the laughs? While The Book of Mormon doesn’t preach (despite its title), it does explore the power of belief—whether religious or personal. Cunningham’s wild fabrications somehow inspire real change, while Price’s rigid belief system is challenged in the face of human complexity. It’s a show that’s self-aware enough to laugh at itself while still acknowledging the humanity of its characters. I did spot an element of redemption in Elder Price this time around.

Is it controversial? Absolutely. Will it still resonate ten years from now? That’s a tougher call. Some critics have suggested that the show’s approach to sensitive issues could eventually feel dated or problematic. But for now, in 2025, it still feels sharp, daring, and incredibly funny.

So, is The Book of Mormon worth a night out at the Theatre Royal? Definitely—if you have a sense of humour and aren’t easily shocked. It’s smart, outrageous, and filled with heart underneath its chaotic surface.

We laughed from start to finish—and judging by the audience's reaction, so did everyone else. This is a riotous, irreverent musical that hits all the right notes.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Paul Coltas

Tickets: 

The Book of Mormon runs at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday 9 August 2025. Tickets available via https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/the-book-of-mormon-2/