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The Karate Kid The Musical at New Theatre Oxford
The Karate Kid – The Musical brings the legendary 1984 film to life on stage at New Theatre Oxford until Sat 13th June.
Karate Kid the Musical UK Tour Review
Wax On, Night Out: Karate Kid the Musical at New Theatre Oxford
As a child of the 80s who remembers the original film vividly, and a parent of a teen who has watched the movie and the spin offs, this felt like the rare show that belonged to both of us equally.
The standout for me was the choreography and the fight sequences. The ensemble never feel like backing dancers filling space. In the best moments, particularly around Mr Miyagi scene with the bonsai, they seem to become part of him. Their movements ripple outwards like an echo turning a him into something much more. Hard to describe but you’ll know what I mean if you go and watch.
Don’t expect straight karate fight scenes, these take on a contemporary dance feel but done incredibly well and enhanced by lighting and clever use of mirrors and yes, that crane kick in the final tournament is there and got the eruption from the audience.
Gino Ochello makes a remarkable stage debut as Daniel LaRusso. A little bit goofy and totally lovable and his vocals are seriously impressive. Adrian Pang steals your heart as Mr Miyagi, his comic timing is perfect, and the wax-on-wax-off scene landed exactly as it should. It wasn’t just me who thought this either, you could really feel the reaction from the audience when he came take his bow at the end.
The New Theatre is a great venue for this kind of touring production, big enough to give the show room to breathe, intimate enough that you feel the energy of the crowd.
The Karate Kid the Musical is a genuinely fun night out. While some of the songs feel a little generic, the choreography and performances bring this iconic movie to life on stage and there’s an infectious energy that’s hard to resist. For us it was exactly what a midweek Oxford evening called for: a shared experience, entertainment, and a moment at the end where we both just looked at each other and grinned.
