A Knight’s Tale the musical: Review

All the hype over the past few weeks is true – A Knight’s Tale is a firework of a show. And I mean literally at points. Figuratively it zings, glitters and explodes. Faux leathering their way through one jukebox banger after the other, the entire cast work their biker boots off.

William (Andrew Coshan) hailing from Cheapside and working as a humble knight’s servant, he dreams of becoming valiant and heroic. When his Knight dies, and Will hits the skids it’s the ideal opportunity for him to step into his boss’s armour and gather an entourage to become a knight in shining armour and split run his way to the stars. Buddying onward with him are two of his pals – curmudgeon Roland (Emile Ruddock) affable and ravenous dafty What (Eva Scott) and rock-hard armorer Kate (Emily Benjamin).

Will becomes Sir Ulrich Von Lichtenstine and as quick as a choreographed montage he goes from one tournament to the other until he pays his debts, his mate’s debts and wins over kickass Princess Jocelyn (Meesha Turner). Jocelyn is also busy keeping the sneering and entitled Count Adhemar (Oliver Tompsett) at bay – she wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot lance. Adhemar goes peacocking round the stage singing ‘I am the one and only’. He turns Chesney Hawke’s self-belief hit into a narcissistic dirge establishing himself as the arch enemy of Will whose whole life depends on winning a jousting match against him. Also, add to that Chaucer (Max Bennet) tagging along with the merry gang of all-rounders. Why not? Bennet breaks the fourth wall and rouses the audience with wit and bravado, tying the whole thing together with adorable cheekiness.

At heart, the show is a celebration of difference, and the story has been updated to reflect the colours of the rainbow we desperately need in our new narratives. It is a jukebox musical that has pantomime elements both of which always win over an audience en-masse. These elements are embellished with an incredible set by Tom Rogers and lighting design by Howard Hudson. Add into the mix superb actors and this all makes for a production that feels more like Moulin Rouge than Mother Goose.

There are some very moving moments between big and little William that I did fill up during. There are also some spectacular tricksy elements to the show – the horses are particularly delightful.

Even before the finale the audience were up in a standing ovation, cheering on what I am sure will be a beloved musical.

The whole show makes for a great evening, and I would go again. I hope it does go to the West End because it has proved that this is what audiences want – unadulterated glee, prancing, preening, farting and fighting. Otherwise, what’s our ticket price being spent on?

A Knight’s Tale is at Opera House, Manchester from 11 April to 10 May 2025 before it opens in the West End.