“The nerve of her having your face”, and so begins Identical, a musical of great humour and heart. Directed by Trevor Nunn - credits include Starlight Express, Cats and Les Misérables - with music and lyrics by multi-award winning musical theatre writing partnerships Stiles and Drewe, Identical is based on Erich Kästner’s novel Das Doppelte Lottchen, which sees two identical twins separated as babies meet at a summer camp and eventually swap places and lives.
The story will also be familiar to those who have watched The Parent Trap - either the 1988 or 1961 take - only this time music - especially those catchy choruses - takes centre stage. The life-swap situation provides the perfect springboard for cheeky quips and heartfelt laughs in equal measure, with the twins Lisa and Lottie portrayed brilliantly by real-life twins Kyla and Nicole Fox.
Within minutes of the curtain lifting we’re immediately transported to an alpine summer camp and straight into a very chipper chorus (In the Summer), which sets the tone for things to come. A mutual dislike between the twins on first meeting is put aside once they quickly put the puzzle pieces together leading to an emotional musical reunion (You’re My Sister). So catchy is the latter that no matter where you find yourself during the interval, you’re sure to find someone either humming or singing at full pelt this sweet sister number.
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The rest of the first act, which takes place across metropolitan Munich and Vienna is dotted with clever back-and-forths, the introduction of the twins parents - Emily Tierney as Lisalotte (see what they did there) and James Darch as Johan - plus great performances from housekeeper Roza, played by Louise Gold, and Johan’s love interest Miss Garlach, played by Gabrielle Lewis-Dobson.
A rather meta moment in the first half is supplied by Miss Garlach’s ballet performance in the Hansel and Gretel Ballet number, which Johan conducts - adding a pacy and dramatic twist to this wholesome and earnest musical. Lewis-Dobson really stands out here and in her other scenes, for her dancing, vocals and perfectly pitched disinterest in her potential step daughter.
The play really gathers pace in the second half though, where a connection is forged between audience and cast, as Stiles and Drewe take the music to another level and Nunn’s self-professed fascination with twins creates some spine-tingling moments. The title song, Identical, is almost tear-jerking, as Emily Tierney discovers the twins' master plan - her pain and euphoria leaving many of us in the audience with Goosebumps. Equally, her rendition of We Were Young - later performed as a duo with Darch - proves that this show is not just for the children.
It is worth giving another mention to the staging by Robert Jones, and video design by Douglas O'Connell, which takes us in one moment from a German mountaintop to a street-side cafe in Vienna, and later a terrifying dream sequence set in the woods - always keeping pace with the constant switch up. Equally, choreography from Matt Cole has that same transportive effect, with quick, punchy numbers at summer camp and the mountaintop, offset by waltzes in Vienna and electric rain-soaked standoffs.
An undeniable treat for all the family, this is a story in which one moment can be light-hearted and uplifting, while another dramatic and reflective. While the first act could have been clipped slightly, this musical feast, complete with catchy choruses, heartfelt harmonies and plenty of cheeky quips and backchat, certainly ticks all the boxes.
Identical at The Lowry is showing now until Saturday, September 3.
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