Review: Dear Evan Hansen At The Wales Millennium Centre
“Today is going to be a good day.” - That’s precisely what you’ll be saying if you watch the touring performance of Dear Evan Hansen at the Wales Millennium Centre.
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Dear Evan Hansen is at the Wales Millennium Centre until Saturday, 3rd of May
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Touring the UK, the West End’s Dear Evan Hansen has stopped at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre for five days and It is certainly not to be missed! With the show taking its audience on an emotional rollercoaster of hilarious highs and punch-like lows. With intense waves of ups and downs, Dear Evan Hansen culminated in a satisfying emotional ending that felt well deserved. A large part of this being down to the incredibly talented cast.
Although the character of Evan Hansen tends to run on one anxious note, the star, Ryan Kopel lives up to this title, taking the titular character of Evan and running with it. Singing as this nervous character was no small accomplishment, with Kopel managing to excel in the complex job of singing confidently whilst acting nervously. His most impressive performance was in the latter act of the show, in which Evan breaks down completely. Kopel sells this emotional collapse entirely, giving the impression that he is in actual physical pain. Having already performed in five other shows, this truly seems to be the breakout role for Kopel and it will be fascinating to see where his career trajectory heads.
Alongside Kopel was his classmate, Alana Beck played by Vivian Panka. Her singing voice was like no other. Having seen countless shows on and off the West End, Panka has one of the best voices I have ever heard live. Something which shined through on her verse in the song ‘Good For You’.
Images: Marc Brenner
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The emotional impact of the musical shone through the two mother-characters. In the first act, Helen Anker’s performance as Cynthia Murphy was nothing short of powerful. Anker sold her character’s devastation, forcing her audience to feel it too. With nigh-perfect delivery on every tough line.
In the second act, Alice Fearn’s Heidi Hansen stood in the spotlight next to Kopel’s Evan. Their chemistry was undeniable, with each actor selling the strenuous but ultimately loving relationship they have. With neither character able to communicate this love, both Fearn and Kopel demonstrate this love through their interactions. Another talented singer, Fearn’s shining moment was the song ‘So Big / So Small’ in which she sung to Evan on his bed.
Although some of the scenes dragged out slightly with the dialogue slightly obvious at times, the stars cannot be faulted, with not a single one falling behind. All delivering well in their parts. Including the ensemble, who greatly supported the main acts.
Images: Marc Brenner
They were also accompanied by a great production team. With the lighting in particular a highlight. The lights did a good job of portraying when Evan was most lonely and most hopeful, with there being several moments of the whole stage flashing up. The technical team did well in the scenes of Evan’s video going viral – in which the background became a collage of videos of different people talking and sharing.
The sets were simple but effective, making it easy to tell where each scene was taking place. The school corridor was portrayed by a few lockers, and the bedrooms often being shown through a bed and one other piece of furniture.
Although Dear Evan Hansen is understandably a difficult watch in some moments, if you are willing to watch something a little bit darker that deals with the topic of mental health, than the musical is perfect for you. With both the technical side and the cast being stellar, it is truly a worthwhile watch.
