Groundhog Day – The Old Vic, London

Tim Minchin and Danny Rubin take on beloved 90s film Groundhog Day in a return of their musical version at the Old Vic. Funny, heartfelt and endlessly rewatchable, I may like it better than the original.

Groundhog Day

Who among us has not seen the 1993 film Groundhog Day, in which Bill Murray plays grouchy weatherman Phil Connors, trapped in an endless loop of the same day in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania? Nay, who among us has not seen it so many times they could quote a considerable number of lines from it? Risky business, then, to adapt it for the stage: you have to get it right or fans will be after blood, and non fans will be difficult to convert thirty years on from the film. But what better team to tackle this task than Danny Rubin, screen writer of the film version, and Tim Minchin, who previously adapted Matilda into a West End smash hit?

These are all questions we could have posed ourselves back in 2016, when the Old Vic originally staged this production. Because, just like in Groundhog Day, we have a spot of déjà vu. Andy Karl has even resumed his lead role as Phil Connors. The musical adaptation proved a hit with London audiences back then, but the New York run was short and it never transferred to the West End as promised. Take two, then, and see what a second go achieves!

I didn’t see Groundhog Day at the Old Vic back then. More fool me, I don’t know what I was doing in 2016 that prevented me. I will give you a lot more detail why in the sections below, but the TLDR version is that I loved it. It’s brilliant. If you’re not opening a new tab right now to buy tickets, then why not?

Staging A Classic Film

Two questions then, I suppose. Firstly, what is it about this musical version of Groundhog Day which is so successful? And a related but slightly different question, why am I saying I prefer it to the original film?

To get us started on the first question, Rubin and Minchin seem to have a knack for balancing reverence for the original with smart changes. It’s a bit like my endless seasonal visits to see A Christmas Carol: there are certain beloved lines, characters or scenes which are important to retain. Otherwise it’s dead to me. An example in Groundhog Day is the character of Ned Ryerson (played here by Andrew Langtree). Seeing Ned in an almost verbatim duplicate of his first encounter with Phil, in a fur-lapelled coat and customary hat, is reassuring. We know the musical isn’t going to stray to far from the story we know and love.

Elsewhere, things look a little different. The cast of characters is pared back, and more diverse. Very importantly, Rita (Tanisha Spring) is a bit less sickly sweet than the original – no more drinking to world peace – and a bit more interesting. In fact, while I am not sure it passes the Bechdel test even now (or barely, if it does), several female characters now have a bit more depth to them. Plus Spring has an excellent voice and a couple of numbers towards the end where she can really let loose.

This improved Rita, and therefore improved romantic plot, is definitely a big part of why I loved the musical version so much. Plus the fact that the musical is both irreverent and charming. There’s plenty of swearing, a few jokes which are borderline in taste, but also a redemption story you can get behind. There’s a car chase scene which is both funny and incredibly creative. And I’m a sucker for tap dancing, so was overjoyed by the time the townsfolk of Punxsatawney started tippy-tapping away. Frankly, what’s not to love?

Final Thoughts

I really hope that Groundhog Day gets the post-Old Vic life it deserves, this time around. Perhaps a West End transfer at least, if American audiences are harder to crack? As I say, anyone who doesn’t already have tickets should book to see it on this run, just in case. Come for the familiar plot (and possibly my proficient review of the tap dancing will have swayed it for you), stay for the excellent performances, clever set design (Rob Howell), top notch musical numbers, and one particular number which is like watching a magic show.

It’s definitely a bonus that Andy Karl is back as Phil Connors. He takes an iconic character and makes it his own. He isn’t trying to recreate Bill Murray in the role: his Phil is at once darker and more polished. His voice is perfect as well, not a big Broadway performance but something better, more focused on the character. It’s a superb performance and well worth seeing.

Given the choice, I would happy rewatch Groundhog Day at the Old Vic rather than popping the film on. I’ve seen several musicals recently, and would wholeheartedly recommend this one any day of the week. It’s got heart, it’s got the songs, and it’s got the catharsis of redemption. What more could a girl ask for?

Salterton Arts Review’s rating: 5/5

Groundhog Day on until 19 August 2023