AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review
TW\CW the use of prop weaponry and explores mature themes relating to armed conflict, including violence and its impacts. Viewer discretion is advised
A Story Deserving of More...
White Rose: The Musical opened at the Marylebone Theatre, bringing the harrowing true story of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose resistance group to the stage.
Set in Nazi Germany, the musical follows Sophie and her fellow university students as they secretly distribute anti-Nazi leaflets, risking their lives to speak out against Hitler’s regime. Their bravery ultimately leads to their capture and execution, making them martyrs for truth and justice. While the subject matter is undeniably powerful, the production itself struggles to fully capture the depth and urgency of their story.
The lead performers have undeniably strong vocal abilities, however the acting lacked emotional depth. Sophie Scholl (played by Collette Guitart) is a figure of immense courage, but Guitart's portrayal here often feels surface-level, missing the raw passion that made Sophie Scholl such an inspiring historical figure. The same goes for the rest of the White Rose members, the words are there, but the intensity behind them is not. Their performances feel too polished and restrained, making it difficult to connect with the true fear, defiance, and moral strength these young activists displayed.
The direction by Will Nunziata definitely fell short and instead of delivering a gripping, immersive experience, the production was static, with staging choices that failed to build tension or heighten the drama. Scenes that should leave the audience breathless, such as the group’s arrests or Sophie’s final moments lack the emotional weight they deserve. At times, Nunziata's direction needs work, as unfortunately moments that should be deeply moving come across as flat and underwhelming.
Natalie Brice and Brian Belding writes the music for this show. Musically the show has some memorable melodies, but the overall composition struggles to serve the story effectively. The score leans heavily on a mix of ballads and rock numbers that never really get going and don’t quite fit the gravity of the story. I know historical musicals don’t need era-appropriate music, the songs felt repetitive rather than driving the narrative forward. The lyrics, too, are inconsistent, at times poetic, but often choppy and unclear, making it difficult to fully grasp the emotions and motivations of the characters.
In a story where words were the White Rose’s most powerful weapon, the lyrics should be razor-sharp, but instead, they feel scattered and unfocused.
That being said, the live band is one of the production’s highlights. The musicians deliver a dynamic performance. The orchestration, while not always suited to the story, is well-executed, but despite its flaws, White Rose: The Musical is still an important and ambitious work.
The story of the White Rose remains as relevant as ever, and the production succeeds in shedding light on a group of young people whose bravery should never be forgotten. This musical feels still to be in its early stages, and with further development particularly in its direction, pacing, and lyrical depth it has the potential to become a more impactful piece of theatre.
For now, though, White Rose: The Musical remains an interesting effort that doesn’t quite achieve its full potential. It’s a story that deserves to be told, but it also deserves to be told better.
★★★
White Rose: The Musical plays at the Marylebone theatre until Sunday 13th of April.
Comments