REVIEW: DEAR EVAN HANSEN @ NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

🎭 Dear Evan Hansen

📍 New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG

🗓 Wednesday 26th March 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BREATHTAKING THEATRE

I am going to start this review with a bold statement. DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the best musical I have ever seen. This is an absolutely beautiful piece of musical theatre that has taken the world by storm, and rightly so.

When his classmate commits suicide, socially anxious Evan tells a white lie to aid his grieving parents and finds himself at the centre of the tragedy and its fallout. As the consequences of his actions unfold he begins to implode slightly as he struggles with his identity.

Ryan Kopel in the titular role gives one of the most breathtakingly beautiful performances I have ever seen. The level of emotion he portrayed is unrivalled, giving his entire self to the role in a jaw dropping portrayal. He had me in tears more than once as he laid himself bare, drawing the audience ever closer. We were all living his story and at one point you could hear people crying as we all shared the raw emotion. His vocal performances inspired a fantastic and well-deserved response as he gave the musical theatre performance of the year.

Alice Fearn will forever be one of my favourite performers and as Evan's mum Heidi she wonderfully demonstrated the sheer grit and determination of the character. The final scene between Kopel and Fearn was both stunning and heart-warming. Her powerful performance of So Big / So Small sent chills through my spine.

There is not one weak link here as the entire cast pulled out superstar performances. Lauren Conroy, Helen Anker and Richard Hurst were all epically believable as they work through their family dynamics after the loss and Killian Thomas Lefevre was understated and wonderful as the tragic Connor.

Tom Dickerson brought the comic relief to the heavy story but still gave warmth and heart to the character and Vivian Panka rounds off the main company gloriously.

The show is set in the modern day and cleverly portrays the ways in which we communicate over social media and technology. The production itself is quite different to the West End version and stands alone as a triumphant piece of theatre.

One big difference is the addition of an ensemble. I struggled to work out what this would add to the production but I was blown away by the depth of sound that was created in the big musical numbers.

This show hits you straight in the gut and I honestly felt sick with emotion at times. Because of its themes it can be a difficult watch at times, but it's also heartwarming and feel-good too. If you only see one touring production this year then this is definitely the one to watch.

DEAR EVAN HANSEN is playing at New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 29th March. Tickets are limited so click here now to secure yours before its too late.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Dear Evan Hansen was gifted by New Wimbledon Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Ryan Kopel as Evan Hansen; Alice Fearn as Heidi Hansen; Lauren Conroy as Zoe Murphy; Helen Anker as Cynthia Murphy; Richard Hurst as Larry Murphy; Killian Thomas Lefevre as Connor Murphy; Tom Dickerson as Jared Kleinman; Vivian Panka as Alana Beck; Sonny Monaghan as Ensemble / Alternate Evan; Lara Beth-Sas as Ensemble; Will Forgave as Ensemble; Daniel Forrester as Ensemble; Olivia-Faith Kamau as Ensemble; Jessica Lim as Ensemble

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 40 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Continues refrences to suicide and mental health

AGE GUIDELINE:

12 +