Butter Side Up Theatre Company’s The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals – 18 July 2025, The Foundry
Review by Claire Taranaski.
Butter Side Up over the last few years have chosen great alternative musicals, that I think any other company in Sheffield might struggle to perform, and are just getting better and better at it with this their best yet, a horror comedy musical that feels like a cross between Little Shop Of Horrors and the Buffy musical episode “Once More With Feeling” but brought up to date for the 2020s.
The star of the show was the guy who didn’t like musicals himself Paul (played by Connor Varley), who was from the moment he intentionally missed his cue in the opening number a likeable guy, loyal friend and colleague and potential love interest. You were on his side with his natural charisma and related to him throughout and like Zander in Buffy, a horror attack on your small town would not be the same without him. I mentioned his potential love interest and Liza Darce-Pearson made Emma a relatable alternative final girl, who I feel we would all behaviour in the same way as in her situation (from the reluctant singing barista to the encore).
I must mention Harvey Higgins as Professor Hidgens, a cross between Doc Brown and Hagrid with an Alexia obsession, but with an unexpected huge pinch of Hollywood musical talent in his number “Show Stoppin Number” that was his unforgettable moment to shine and he did, making it his own. Whilst on the cast I also loved Lilly Hill as Charlotte Sweetly, a loving wife, colleague and adulterer whose performance immediately reminded me of Ghostbusters Annie Potters.
On the subject of cast members having stand out songs that they made their own and made them shone, close runners up for Harvey’s number were John Ashmore as Paul’s manager Mr Davidson in “What Do You Want, Paul?”, I don’t know where John’s over the top performance came from but my main theory is that he really had been taken over (a performance hard to explain but not to be missed); and Abby Lever as Alice performance of “Not Your Seed” which showcased her full vocal range and if she ever wants a music career would be the perfect demo track to send to record studios. The musical is not just about solo numbers, also full of great ensemble pieces with fun, upbeat choreography and great harmonies, getting stronger and stronger throughout, at it’s best for me in the penultimate number “Let It Out”.
Butter Side Up made great use of a minimal set and props, including clever use of desk chairs in a variety of ways and with the blue being a fun way of keeping track of the infected. I also love to see the band on stage and alongside accompanying the musical numbers they provided soundtrack instrumental mood music throughout.
Director Ellie Maderia and musical director Ewan Fellows did a superb job of getting the best out of the cast and ensemble and bringing this fun alternative musical to Sheffield audiences. I only wish it was on for longer.
With only one performance to go, this musical should not be missed by fans of 1950s horror B movies who love A comedy musicals and the guys (and girls) who really don’t like musicals (as like a soap Christmas special it will at least make them grateful that they don’t have to go through what Mark does) with a performance that would not feel out of place off Broadway.
