The Mad Ones at the Other Palace

The Mad Ones certainly lives up to its recently adopted title: “Mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved!” The musical, originally titled The Unauthorised Autobiography of Samantha Brown, was penned by Kait Kerrigan (book and lyrics) and Bree Lowdermilk (music). It gained a substantial online following, with millions of YouTube views and over 15,000 pieces of sheet music sold prior to its official licensing. The show is a poignant coming-of-age comedy-drama and is currently wowing audiences at The Other Palace Studio in South-West London, running from 7^th May to 1^st June 2025. Following its hugely successful and highly acclaimed five-star run at Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock Theatre, this London debut brings the emotionally charged and wonderfully humorous story of 18-year-old Samantha Brown (portrayed by Dora Lee) to the stage.

Samantha finds herself at a crossroads between the choice of living wildly or sensibly, who, after the tragic loss of her best friend Kelly in a car accident, grapples with grief, identity, self-discovery and the daunting decision of whether to follow the path laid out by her Mother or to forge her own uncertain future. The emphasis of ,other-daughter dynamics are so prominent that it elevates the pathos of the show with its highly relatable themes. Under the direction of Emily Susanne Lloyd, the London musical features an ultra-fun pop-infused score, with masterful performances and vocal prowess that illuminate the stage and the hearts of the audience, despite the themes of heartache and loss. This production has cast masterful thespians to portray the emotional depth of all the characters: Jacob Fowler as Adam, Courtney Stapleton as Kelly and Thea-Jo Wolfe as Beverly as well as Lee as Samantha.

Recommended for audiences aged 15 and above, due to scenes of a sexual nature, The Mad Ones runs for approximately two hours, including an interval and offers a compelling and highly illustrious theatre experience. For those seeking a contemporary musical that invigorates and galvanises, The Mad Ones is the one to watch.

Nina Doroushi
Photos: @PerroLocoPro

The Mad Ones is at the Other Palace from 14^th May until 1^st June 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.