Identical review: young stars excel in a show full of ‘theatrical wonder’

This tale of identical twins separated at birth has the makings of a ‘must-see phenomenon’

Emme Patrick and Eden Patrick in Identical 
Emme Patrick and Eden Patrick in Identical 
(Image credit: Pamela Raith)

Composer George Stiles and lyricist Anthony Drewe have had a huge hit with their stage version of Mary Poppins. Their latest family musical, Identical, is less firm on its feet but, thanks in part to the fine performances of its young stars, this tale of identical twins separated at birth has the makings of a “must-see phenomenon” even so, said Dominic Cavendish in The Daily Telegraph. From a script by Stuart Paterson that “closely honours” its source – Erich Kästner’s 1949 novel Das doppelte Lottchen – it rises to a climax of genuine “theatrical wonder” in this production, produced by Kenny Wax and directed by former RSC supremo Trevor Nunn.

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