The highly anticipated Dear Evan Hansen UK tour has arrived at Sheffield’s Lyceum theatre! A multi-award winning classic and the ultimate comfort musical for the socially anxious, this show invites the audience to explore the struggle of simply trying to fit in, all through the lens of Evan Hansen, an average high school boy suffering from social anxiety and depression, and truly eager for ‘today to be a good day’.
Ryan Kopel’s characterisation of Evan goes far beyond teenage awkwardness through a profoundly sincere performance, offering insight into the complexities of mental health, relationships and the digital age. Smooth and clear vocals overwhelmed the theatre with emotion, as audible gasps were heard from the stalls throughout. For a role often considered to remain in the shadows of Ben Platt, Kopel’s added vulnerability which lay bare on the stage left the audience to grapple with an added empathy toward a teenager caught in a far-fetched lie.
Emotion does not waver from the centre of the show, amongst grief, confusion and love, we find Evan to be much more than just a struggling high-school kid, but also a struggling son. Helen Anker and Alice Fearn’s performances, as Cynthia Murphy and Heidi Hansen, offer a raw depiction of multi-faceted motherhood, irrespective of wealth or class. Lesson learnt? Mental health can disrupt everyone and everything. Fearn perfects the multi-faceted nature of a single mother, in desperate need of trying to better life for her child. The overarching tone conveyed is love. Balanced with anger, balanced with frustration and balanced with fear. The richness of Fearn’s voice truly conveys a mother’s unconditional love.
In comparison, Anker’s softer, yet equally powerful tone channels a mother scorned by grief and fuelled by hope for her child’s happiness. The hope that radiates from Evan’s lies is heartbreaking and adds to the complex reaction from the audience. Strengthened by Richard Hursts in the role of Larry Murphy, whose masculine vulnerability presented an honest and candid family unit. Lauren Conroy as Zoe Murphy adds dimension and perspective to a struggling family – a softness amongst the harsh chaos. The sweetness in Conroys voice adds balance in Zoe’s relationship with Evan – calm amongst the storm.
Complexity was also seen in the performance of Vivian Panka as Alana Beck, an enthusiastic student, who beneath the surface, clearly just wants to be understood. Panka conveyed this intricate character with ease. The perfect comedic timing of Tom Dickerson, in the role of Jared Kleinman, offers much-needed relief throughout the heavy plot, as does Killian Thomas Lefevre’s take on Connor Murphy. As an audience member who knew little about the plot before the show, Connor’s character cleverly shifts the narrative along.
Not to go unnoticed, the ensemble creates depth and intensity as the narrative reaches its height, coupled with the astounding work of those behind-the-scenes. The use of lighting, sound and video from lights up throws the audience into the midst of the messy chaos that is Dear Evan Hansen. Tissues at the ready, Dear Evan Hansen is certainly a must-see!
Rating: ★★★★★
Dear Evan Hansen is playing at the Lyceum Theatre until April 12th, & touring the U.K. until July 5th
