Fresh from Broadway success, the farm-to-table fable of Shucked has been transported across the pond and planted at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; a fitting venue for a show which has the great outdoors at the centre of its storytelling.
The residents of Cob Country have a problem: the sweetcorn that surrounds them and keeps them separated from the prying eyes of the world has wilted and is dying. No one knows why it’s suddenly happening, but if the corn isn’t brought back to life, then their whole way of life is threatened. Cue a wedding, an adventure, a conman and a lot of whiskey—and not necessarily in that order.
It’s a show about love, family, discovering your hidden strengths and… corn. The opening number is dedicated to it, half the set is made of it and every single pun you can possibly dream of has been crammed into Robert Horn’s script. From the outset, it’s clear that this is a self-aware production with one-liners distributed democratically across the cast—some genuinely hilarious, some clever, some knowing and some brilliantly awful.
But however razor-sharp the delivery, endless gags do not a musical comedy make, so it’s a relief that the score is just as perky, drawing inspiration from classic musical theatre (there’s more than a hint of Music Man and Oklahoma here) and the country roots of songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Their touch ensures a twang of authenticity and is particularly felt in songs "Ok" and "Somebody Will" that sound like they could be hits for Keith Urban. These raw and touching ballads are balanced well with rousing numbers such as alcohol-flavoured working song "We Love Jesus" and showstopper "Independently Owned".
While it could be argued that the characters don’t have much depth, the entire cast attack the roles with such energy and vocal confidence that the audience get entirely swept up in their trials and tribulations from the outset. As Storytellers 1 and 2, Monique Ashe-Palmer and Steve Webb strike up an easy rapport and form the backbone of the show, quietly shining even in scenes where they are aren’t the focus.
Sophie McShera is a beautifully headstrong but naïve Maizy, and her relationship with cousin Lulu is just as fun to watch as any of the romantic interactions. As Lulu, Georgina Onourah both struts and slinks across the stage, every inch the independent woman of her song. Matthew Seadon-Young and Ben Joyce are also excellently cast as the contrasting male leads, the first big city conman, the latter honest farmer. And as deep but often bizarre thinker Peanut, Keith Ramsay is divinely deadpan, making even his worst jokes worthy of an audible groan.
They’re supported by a denim-clad, foot-stomping and barnstorming ensemble who bring Sarah O’Gleby’s cheeky choreography bursting to life and round out the company numbers with style.
Perfectly paced with witty book and enjoyable score, Shucked is a show that revels in being ridiculous and treads a fine line between being (corn) syrupy and suggestive. It never loses sight of its earnest heart, however, and, despite the paper-thin plot, it’s impossible not to root for the residents of Cob County and their a-maizing way of life.