Fans of Little Miss Sunshine, the Oscar-winning film, won’t need any encouragement to visit Oxford Playhouse tonight, to see the new musical stage show, fresh from London.
Those of you who haven’t watched the cult movie about a dysfunctional family travelling in a VW camper van across America, take it from me, it’s an all time classic.
Which is why Matthew McDonald was delighted to jump on board, when asked to audition, and signed up for the whole London and UK tour.
“Most people come because they have seen the film which is about ordinary people who we can all relate to.
“So when I read the script I knew it would work really well as a musical.
it was a really exciting new project. There aren’t many times in an actor’s career where you get to originate work and be in the room as it grows into something, from paper to full blown project
Opening in Oxford tonight and running until Saturday, Little Miss Sunshine looks set to bring a breath of fresh, summer air to Oxford this week.
“Well it’s about people and relationships, about breaking down the barriers and working together. What’s not to love?,” Matthew asks.
“The joy of Little Miss Sunshine is that it is so relatable; everyone knows someone like one of the characters, or felt with what they are going through, whether its depression or teenage angst, stress, work problems, responsibility. It’s all in there.
“None of them are exceptional or crazy. They are just like us.”
And yet it’s also hugely improbable – a family driving across America to a pageant, one of whom has just attempted suicide, a drug-riddled Grandpa, a teenager who hasn’t spoken for 80 months and a little girl.
“But it’s so enjoyable.”
“For me it was a really exciting new project. There aren’t many times in an actor’s career where you get to originate work and be in the room as it grows into something, from paper to full blown project.
“Because the big West End shows and tours come fully formed – you just step into someone else shoes.
“So creating new work has been really exciting, and all the other actors feel the same way.
“There is a real sense of excitement about this, because we know it’s a really special environment to be in.”
But a word of warning to the uninitiated. It is not, and I repeat not, a children’s show. Little Miss Sunshine comes with a 14+ age recommendation.
“Well it covers, porn, sex, death and suicide. Occasionally you see a parent in the audience with a nine year old looking horrified because they’ve just booked it without finding out what Little Miss Sunshine is actually about,” Matthew laughs.
Having conducted two previous tours, back-to-back, (Titanic and Our House, the Madness musical) Matthew does feel as if he’s been living in his car for months on end.
“The cast are amazing though and we are having so much fun. I seem to spend my whole life drinking coffee, eating brunch and then going to work. So it’s a very gluttonous tour,“ he laughs. Unsurprisingly, we are all really enjoying it.”
Little Miss Sunshine is at Oxford Playhouse until Saturday. Tickets at oxfordplayhouse.com or 01865 305305.
Full review to follow at oxinabox.co.uk
