David Hunter, David Fynn and Chelsea Halfpenny in Beetlejuice: The Musical [Johan Persson]

IT’S occasionally uneven, but there’s plenty to admire in this musical take on Beetlejuice, drawn from Tim Burton’s 1988 film with music by Eddie Perfect and a book by Scott Brown and Anthony King.

The show begins at a funeral, where a young girl mourns the loss of her mother. It’s not long before the green-haired ghoul Beetlejuice (Tom Xander standing in for David Fynn) bounds onto stage, exuberantly singing The Whole “Being Dead” Thing, setting the tone for what follows.

After Adam (David Hunter) and Barbara (Chelsea Halfpenny) Maitland electrocute themselves, they end up as ghosts in the attic of their house – a wonderfully off-kilter set by David Korins.

Mischievous Beetlejuice persuades them that they can reclaim their home by haunting the new owners, the Deetz family: Lydia (Hannah Nordberg), a Goth teenager, her father (Alasdair Harvey), and his girlfriend, life coach Delia (Aimie Atkinson).

Caught between the human world and the Netherworld, Beetlejuice needs a living person to say his name three times to become visible. When he realises grief-stricken Lydia – whom he prevents from harming herself – can see him, he spots a potential ally, while she believes he can help her reunite with her mother in the Netherworld.

The first half has bounce, bite and shade – Nordberg’s rendition of Dead Mom is a highlight. But the pace sags in the middle and, once they enter the Netherworld, competing characters dilute the focus.

Still, Beetlejuice is undeniably a crowd-pleaser, cleverly staged by Alex Timbers. Connor Gallagher’s striking choreography, Jeremy Chernick’s special effects, Peter Nigrini’s projections and Kenneth Posner’s lighting contribute to the spectacle.

Michael Curry’s imaginative puppets, William Ivey Long’s splendid costumes and Charles G LaPointe’s memorable wigs also deserve praise.

Until April 17, 2027
beetlejuicemusical.co.uk/