Last night we were invited to the Liverpool Empire Theatre to watch The Karate Kid: The Musical. I really wasn’t sure how they were going to turn the 80’s classic into an all signing all dancing stage performance but trust me when I say it works.
The musical is based on Robert Mark Kamen’s iconic 80’s film about Daniel LaRusso’s underdog journey as he arrives in California and finds himself on the wrong side of Johnny Lawrence and the Cobra Kai. In need of help he finds an unlikely mentor in the maintenance man and together they build a bond so strong that it takes them all the way to the karate tournament.
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Having watched the original film many times growing up I am pleased to say they have included most of the best bits from the original, giving waves of nostalgia as you recognise scenes, costumes and phrases throughout.
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For me the thing that made the show such a roaring success was the casting of Adrian Pang as Mr Miyagi. Adrian encapsulates the original character so much, not only in looks but in his mannerisms, timing and facial expressions too, so much so that you truly believe he is THE Mr Miyagi. He manages to deliver a warm, thoughtful performance as the karate mentor, whilst simultaneously bringing humour and a raw vulnerability to the role. His on stage relationship with Gino Ochello who plays Daniel is also fantastic.
Visually, the show is engaging. The set design shifts seamlessly between various places including the kitchen table, Mr Miyagi’s garden, the arcade and the dojo training sessions, and the use of the contrasting red and blue lights to indicate the intense anger and brutality of Cobra Kai’s training compared to the serene calm and balance of My Miyagi’s training was pretty powerful.
The dance choreography is fun and high paced and we especially liked the inclusion of the Cobra dance moves during Typical Ali Mills but it’s the choreographed fighting scenes that stole the show. Blending martial arts and dance in a way that felt both authentic and theatrical, creating some of the most exhilarating moments of the show.
The final Karate competition was a huge hit too and we loved how they encouraged audience participation that goes beyond just singing and clapping, lots of kids (and some adults) were really getting involved, cheering and shouting, creating a more intense fight night atmosphere.
The only thing that disappointed me slightly was the inclusion of a few strong swear words which don’t normally bother me but they didn’t add anything to the show and they felt a bit unnecessary, especially as there were so many young children in the audience but that being said we would still highly recommend The Karate Kid.
Overall this was a great, upbeat musical that honours the original film whilst showcasing it in a completely new light. It’s an amazing way to introduce your own children or grandchildren to an 80’s classic and show them that the “wax on, wax off” philosophy still resonates today.
The Karate Kid is currently in Liverpool and will continue it’s tour stopping at
- Oxford
- Milton Keynes
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Sheffield
- Sunderland
- Birmingham
- Cardiff
