Best Musical of the Century: 'Book of Mormon' in London!

Introduction

If you're looking for a night of pure entertainment, then look no further than the "Book of Mormon" theatre production in London. Written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, and Robert Lopez, co-creator of Avenue Q, this musical is a hilarious and irreverent take on religion and faith.

Book of Mormon London Cast

Introducing the talented cast members of the West End production of The Book of Mormon! Get ready to be captivated by their exceptional performances and infectious energy. From the charismatic and ambitious Elder Price to the endearing and quirky Elder Cunningham, each member of the cast brings their unique talents to the stage, creating an unforgettable experience for the audience. Let's dive into the world of The Book of Mormon and discover the individuals who bring these beloved characters to life.

Elder Price

Robert Colvin and Nic Rouleau portray the charismatic and ambitious Elder Price. With his strong voice and stage presence, Robert Colvin/Nic Rouleau brings the character to life, capturing the blend of enthusiasm, naivety, and determination that defines Elder Price.

Elder Cunningham

Kevin Clay and Conner Peirson portray the endearing and quirky Elder Cunningham. Kevin Clay/Conner Peirson skillfully portrays the character's comedic timing and ability to connect with the audience, making Elder Cunningham a lovable and relatable figure throughout the show.

Nabulungi 

Leanne Robinson and Kelly Agbowu showcase their incredible talent as Nabulungi, the hopeful and compassionate Ugandan villager. Leanne Robinson/Kelly Agbowu delivers powerful vocals and conveys the character's emotional journey, adding depth and heart to the role.

Elder McKinley

Steven Webb and Billy Cullum portray the flamboyant and conflicted Elder McKinley. Steven Webb/Billy Cullum skillfully balances the character's comedic moments with a touch of vulnerability, creating a memorable and entertaining portrayal of this charismatic missionary leader.

Mafala Hatimbi

Richard Lloyd King and Philip Catchpole bring their talent to the role of Mafala Hatimbi, the wise and respected leader of the Ugandan village. Richard Lloyd King/Philip Catchpole's commanding presence and powerful voice make Mafala Hatimbi a significant figure in the story, offering guidance and support to the missionaries.

General 

Delroy Atkinson and Dean Maynard play the role of the General, a stern and authoritative character. Delroy Atkinson/Dean Maynard's portrayal adds a touch of seriousness and intensity to the production, creating a contrast to the humor and lightheartedness of other characters.

Please note that the specific cast members and their roles may vary over time as productions change and actors take on different roles.

Music and Choreography

Let's delve into the remarkable songs of the musical, The Book of Mormon. Each song presents a unique blend of humor, satire, and poignant moments that captivate the audience.

5. I Believe

Before we go into the song 'I Believe,' let's go through the antagonist of the narrative. Don't be fooled by the moniker General Butt F**king Naked; this is not a cheap effort at comedy. There is a genuine guy on the earth named General Butt Naked, who inspired the musical character, and his true name is Joshua Milton Blahyi. Blahyi, the former leader of warlord Roosevelt Johnson's Liberian armies, was once regarded the cruellest and most vile man in the world. Blahyi's fighting name (nom de guerre) is General Butt Naked, and he is notorious for killing 20,000 people during the First Liberian Civil fighting. As a priest of the Sarpo tribe, he committed human sacrifice on his victims and even perpetrated cannibalism on them. In the musical The Book of Mormon, a fictitious version of him plays the primary villain, a Ugandan warlord. The musical contains a few sequences of graphic violence triggered by General Butt Naked that will make you jump out of your skin. One such moment occurs immediately before the song 'All-American Prophet,' in which Elder Cunningham compares the Bible to a "trilogy." Following this somewhat amusing piece, which is like the eye of the storm, viewers are in for a huge surprise as General Butt Naked storms onto the stage, demanding that all female villagers have their genitals mutilated and shooting a protester in the face. The visual effects in this blood-splattering scene are so realistic that you could burst out laughing in the crowd! Elder Price meets General Butfking Naked in the song 'I Believe' in an attempt to convert him. The song's disturbing lyrics include, "I believe that in 1978 God changed his mind about black people." "I believe that Jesus has his own planet as well, and that the Garden of Eden was located in Jackson County, Missouri." After growing irritated with Elder Price, the character General Butt Fking Naked does another fairly explicit deed at the end of 'I Believe,' leaving it to the imagination as he leads Elder Price off stage. Only when we see an X-ray of Elder Price's pelvic area do we realise what happened to him at the end of the song, bringing new meaning to the expression "Take your Bible and shove it!"

4. Turn it off.

This song's performance is possibly the most jaw-dropping and eye-popping of the whole night. This show-stopping number has the young missionaries in the narrative sharing their counsel on how to pull their minds out of the gutter and how to deal with existential ideas when they face problems as believers, complete with a tap-dance break. "Don't feel those feelings; hold them instead!" is one of the important phrases. Like a light switch, turn it off. Simply click! It's a clever Mormon technique." When opposed to the brutality seen in 'General Butt F**king Naked,' 'Turn It Off' is unquestionably lighter and sillier, that is until it references domestic abuse... After the song, you can't help but respect Trey Parker and Matt Stone's miraculous ability to convey a comical song while still touching your soul with its tragic and gloomy subject matter, a gift they've displayed since South Park began.

3. Joseph Smith, American Moses

This song occurs shortly after the Act II opener, in which Elder Cunningham begins to'make things up' in order to keep the villagers from fleeing as they became increasingly upset with the Mormon missionaries' lectures. In comparison to 'Joseph Smith American Moses,' 'Making Things Up Again,' in which he blended LDS doctrine with Star Wars and The Hobbit,' was vanilla. Elder Cunningham is deeply disturbed after encountering a local African superstition that AIDS can be cured by having sex with a young virgin (and, in the case of this musical number, with a baby), and quickly recites, "Joseph Smith, do not f*** a baby; I'll get rid of your AIDS if you f*** this frog." It's a pretty strange moment, and it doesn't get any stranger than that.
2. A Spooky Mormon Hell Dream...but it happens. Elder Price meets Genghis Khan, Jeffrey Dahmer, Adolf Hitler, Johnnie Cochran, and, of course, Lucifer himself in this strange dream scenario. The dream foreshadows what (and who) awaiting Elder Price in the hereafter. Things become crazier when Jesus Christ personally refers to Elder Price as a d**k. Talk about acting out of character for the Saviour.

2. Spooky Mormon Hell Dream

...but actually, it does. Elder Price meets Genghis Khan, Jeffrey Dahmer, Adolf Hitler, Johnnie Cochran, and, of course, Lucifer himself in this strange dream scenario. The dream foreshadows what (and who) awaiting Elder Price in the hereafter. Things become crazier when Jesus Christ personally refers to Elder Price as a d**k. Talk about stepping out of character for the Saviour.

1. Eebowai Hasa Diga

As Lion King fans, you already know that 'Hakuna Matata' means "no worries." But what about the song 'Hasa Diga Eebowai'? It means 'F*** you, God,' which may appear blasphemous to believers if not for the circumstances, which makes you feel sad for the Ugandan peasants. Some of the sadder lyrics are: "There isn't enough food to eat. Eebowai's Hasa Diga People are going hungry on the street. We haven't received rain in several days, and 80% of us have AIDS." This fourth song in the musical will test all of your emotions, so be sure you're prepared!

Clever and Satirical Writing

But it's not just the music and dancing that make "Book of Mormon" a must-see. The show's clever and satirical writing, which tackles controversial subjects with wit and humor, is also a standout. Parker, Stone, and Lopez have a knack for poking fun at sensitive topics without crossing the line into offensive or preachy territory, and "Book of Mormon" is no exception. The show takes aim at the Mormon faith, but manages to do so in a way that is respectful and thought-provoking, rather than offensive or preachy.

Overall Fun

Of course, all of these elements combine to make "Book of Mormon" a lot of fun. From start to finish, the show is a rollercoaster of emotions, with laughs, tears, and everything in between. Whether you are a fan of musicals, South Park, or just a good old-fashioned comedy, you will find something to love about "Book of Mormon."

Rave Reviews

The show has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, with many praising its clever writing, talented cast, and top-notch production values. The New York Times called it "the best musical of this century," while The Guardian called it "a gleaming production, with a cast of astonishing talent."

More Must-See Theatre Productions in London

If you're looking for more must-see theatre productions in London, be sure to check out "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," "The Lion King," and "Phantom of the Opera," all of which are running at the West End. No matter what you choose, you're sure to have an unforgettable theatre-going experience in London.