A new stage musical adaptation of the 1991 film "Thelma & Louise" is currently running at London’s Young Vic theatre until October 24. Based on Ridley Scott’s iconic road movie featuring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, the show attempts to translate the film’s feminist themes and gripping narrative into a theatrical musical format with book and lyrics by Callie Khouri and music by US indie rock artist Neko Case.

The production opens on a wood-paneled set evoking generic Mid-West bars, initially revealing the two protagonists, Thelma and Louise, posed atop the flipped wreck of the well-known green 1966 Ford Thunderbird—the car emblematic of their doomed road trip. However, notably, the vehicle itself never reappears, with travel and motion instead suggested by neon strip lights and minimal set changes. This decision has drawn mixed reactions, as the absence of the car and scenic variety removes much of the visual dynamism and expansiveness central to the original film’s widescreen storytelling.

Rachel Tucker and Amy Lennox, cast as Louise and Thelma respectively, have been widely praised for their powerful performances, effectively conveying the characters’ evolving friendship and intense emotional journeys. Lennox’s portrayal charts Thelma’s transformation from a submissive wife to a defiant figure, while Tucker reveals Louise’s underlying pain beneath her tough exterior. Their vocal work has been described as blazing and soaring, injecting much of the production’s emotional energy.

Yet, critical response to other aspects of the musical has been less favourable. The show has been characterised as uneven in tone and pacing, shifting abruptly from the serious issue of Thelma’s attempted rape and subsequent actions, to broad comedic elements involving inept local deputies and a farcical portrayal of Thelma’s husband. Some reviewers note that the male characters are presented without sufficient depth or complexity, and the production appears hesitant to explore darker societal themes in detail. Despite the decision to cast a Black actor, Trevor Dion Nicholas, as the empathetic detective Hal Slocumb, attempts to incorporate contemporary issues such as race and misogyny are at times viewed as heavy-handed and lacking subtlety.

Musically, Neko Case’s score has elicited divided opinions. While certain songs have been recognised for their catchy or heartfelt qualities, the overall musical style has been described as repetitive, with unconventional structures that sometimes resemble awkward sung-through dialogue. Some lyrics have been criticised for their obtuse or nonsensical imagery, such as lines referencing “an iron lake” or “hairs on my neck standing up in murmuration,” which detract from narrative clarity.

Director Trip Cullman’s staging avoids static set pieces, employing lighting and movement to suggest the characters’ journey, but the production has been said to lack the urgency and thrust that propelled the original film. The adaptation’s attempt to remain faithful to the film’s storyline and key beats has resulted in a sense of over-reverence that inhibits the show from forging an independent theatrical identity.

While not a complete failure, this musical version of "Thelma & Louise" struggles to balance its ambitious themes with coherent storytelling and engaging musicality. Audience members are left with strong lead performances but a production that does not fully capture the spirit or impact of the film’s enduring narrative.