Shucked by Robert Horn – ★★★★★
Maize, matrimony, and musical comedy set against the backdrop of Mother Nature — it’s the perfect recipe for a corny yet charming production of the Tony Award-winning musical Shucked, which has now landed in the UK after a successful run in the US.
It’s still hard to believe that we were in the heart of a British metropolis as we shuffled into our outdoor seats at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. The set design is unapologetic and playful in paying homage to rustic Americana with its sturdy wooden, and wonky barn-like structure framed by tall stalks of corn on either side. The stage is nestled within a lush, leafy backdrop of trees and birds, drawing the audience to believe we are right in the middle of a fictional town called Cob County — a thriving, corn-growing community located somewhere along the Bible Belt.
The storyline is undeniably predictable, but that’s part of the appeal. It’s a classic tale of a small-town girl who finds herself in a big city, and returns with new experiences and perspectives. The familiarity with romcom-esque clichés are enjoyable the same way there’s comfort in rewatching your favourite movie. With such fast paced and intelligently written (Robert Horn) and directed (Jack O'Brien) sitcom, slapstick style humour, there is something for everyone who can appreciate a lighthearted performance that exists purely for quirky entertainment. The best embodiment of the ab-making laughter undoubtedly comes from the character of Peanut (Keith Ramsay), who caricatures a simple, Southern country bumpkin who is always ready to deliver the best one-liners and dry humour.
There are two narrators who move the play along and give us helpful context clues. Monique Ashe-Palmer and Steven Webb are a powerful storytelling duo, and their ability to transform into different roles while delivering an array of convincing accents with ease is impressive. Local lovebirds Maizy (Sophie McShera) and Beau (Ben Joyce) are about to say their wedding vows when they suddenly realise the corn the community rely on for trade, business, and daily life is withering away. In a bid to save the town, Maizy embarks on a solo journey to Tampa to locate a corn specialist who can restore the crops to their former glory. There, she is charmed by con artist Gordy (Matthew Seadon-Young), who convinces her to take him back to her hometown under the pretense that he can solve the dying crop conundrum. In reality, his true motive is rooted in using the town’s overlooked materials to build a fortune for himself.
There are musical numbers that explore their love for corn, the history of Cob County, their values, the evolution of individual characters, and their relationships. The music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally are down-to-earth and mischievous, with the most well received songs being Maizy’s (Sophie McShera) ‘Woman of the World’, Beau’s (Ben Joyce) ‘Somebody Will’ and Lulu’s (Georgina Onuorah) ‘Independently Owned’. It was a shame that these standout songs were placed back-to-back, leaving little opportunity for the other numbers across the 2 hours 25 minutes to be nearly as memorable. However, the fine-tuned choreography and use of props more than made up for it.
Was the plot life changing and did it make me question the deep and meaningful? Absolutely not, but I’ve had the Spotify cast recording on repeat since seeing it, meaning the songs have rightfully earned a place in my mind. The ongoing sentiment emphasised the importance of tight-knit community and family, which is something many city dwellers miss out on: “Family is telling someone to go to hell, then worrying they get there safely.” Before arriving, I wondered how anyone would be able to make a masterpiece out of a yellow vegetable worship show, but they nailed it. The streets are lined with corn coloured gold, and all roads lead to Shucked at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. It’s a fun and bouncy night out whether you’re someone who isn’t fond of long, drawn-out musicals or someone who is a regular at opening nights and enjoys pun-derful and punchy comedy.
★★★★★
By Nadia Mantock
Shucked is showing at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 14 June.