MusicalLatestReviewsBack to the Future: The Musical

Back to the Future UK Tour Review: Great Scott! Is This Musical Worth 1.21 Gigawatts?

Great Scott! The DeLorean has landed at the Bristol Hippodrome as Back to the Future: The Musical begins its first UK tour. With Marty McFly, Doc Brown and a certain time-travelling sports car taking centre stage, can this blockbuster musical deliver the same magic as the much-loved 1985 film? Matinee Dog is heading to Hill Valley to find out!

Copyright: Banner image and production photography (Mark Senior)

Great Scott! Somebody fire up the flux capacitor because we’re going back to 1985. Or should that be 1955? Either way, the DeLorean has finally hit the road, and this time it’s making its way around the UK!

Now, I’ll admit something straight away. Back to the Future: The Musical wasn’t particularly high on my must-see list. I love the film, of course, but another big-screen favourite being turned into a stage musical? I wasn’t exactly racing to get into the DeLorean. Well, somebody clearly needed to give me a good shake, because what unfolded at the Bristol Hippodrome was an absolutely superb piece of musical theatre that left me wondering why on earth I hadn’t been more excited in the first place.

There are some films that become so firmly embedded in popular culture that you can barely imagine anyone daring to do anything different with them. Back to the Future is certainly one of those. From Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd’s gloriously eccentric Doc Brown to the unmistakable DeLorean and that iconic clock tower, it’s a film packed with moments that generations of audiences know and love. So when someone announces they’re turning it into a stage musical, there is really only one question: how on earth are they going to pull THAT off?

Following its hugely successful West End run, Back to the Future: The Musical has embarked on its first UK tour, opening at the Bristol Hippodrome with a company led by Axel Duffy as Marty McFly and Roger Bart as Doc Brown. And with the original film’s co-creator Bob Gale involved in bringing the story to the stage, there’s certainly plenty of pedigree behind this production.

But pedigree is one thing. Actually delivering the goods is another. And believe me, this production delivers!

Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!

For anyone who has somehow managed to avoid one of the most recognisable films of the 1980s, the story follows teenager Marty McFly, who accidentally travels back in time from 1985 to 1955 in a DeLorean built by his eccentric scientist friend, Doc Brown.

Unfortunately, Marty manages to interfere with the first meeting between his teenage parents, threatening his own existence in the process. With time running out, he must find a way to bring them together, repair the damage and get himself back to the future.

It’s a story filled with comedy, adventure, romance and some gloriously ridiculous science, and thankfully the stage adaptation knows exactly what audiences have come to see. All those familiar characters, memorable moments and wonderfully daft situations are present and correct, but the production also understands that simply recreating the film isn’t enough.

What really impressed me was just how confidently the story has been adapted for the stage. The whole thing moves along with tremendous energy, and even when you know perfectly well what’s coming next, there’s a real sense of excitement in seeing how they’re going to pull it off in front of you. And that, as it turns out, is where this production has some rather extraordinary tricks up its sleeve.

Axel Duffy and Roger Bart take us through time

Let’s start with Marty McFly, because Axel Duffy is absolutely incredible.

Stepping into a role so closely associated with Michael J. Fox is no small undertaking, but Duffy throws himself into the part with such infectious energy and confidence that you very quickly stop thinking about the film and simply enjoy the performance unfolding in front of you. He’s charismatic, wonderfully expressive and has exactly the sort of youthful enthusiasm needed to carry this gloriously chaotic adventure.

It’s a hugely demanding role, with Marty at the centre of almost everything, yet Duffy makes it all look remarkably effortless. His vocals are excellent, his comic timing is sharp and he brings a genuine warmth to the character that makes you want him to succeed, even when he’s making an absolute mess of the space-time continuum!

And then there’s Roger Bart as Doc Brown.

Oh, what a joy!

Bart is quite simply hilarious, delivering a wonderfully eccentric performance with impeccable comic timing. Every exaggerated expression, every pause and every perfectly judged reaction lands beautifully. He’s clearly having an absolute ball, and that enjoyment is infectious.

One particular exchange involving the increasingly ridiculous “Wait, what? What? Wait!” had me in absolute hysterics, and judging by the laughter ringing around the Bristol Hippodrome, I certainly wasn’t alone. It was one of those glorious moments when the entire audience seemed to lose it together, and Bart milked every second to perfection.

The chemistry between Duffy and Bart is another enormous strength. Their partnership feels natural, playful and full of life, providing the heart of the show amid all the time-travelling madness. They’re a terrific double act, and I could quite happily watch the two of them bounce off one another all evening.

The McFly family and the rest of Hill Valley

While Marty and Doc might be the names on everyone’s lips, there’s a whole town of memorable characters surrounding them, and the supporting company more than holds its own.

James Oliver takes on the role of George McFly, with Danielle Rose as Lorraine Baines and Toby Shellard as the unmistakably unpleasant Biff Tannen. Brandon Lee Sears appears as Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry.

What really struck me was the strength of the company as a whole. There are some incredible vocals throughout, and the ensemble brings a tremendous amount of energy to the production. Nobody appears to be simply filling the stage; everyone contributes to creating the wonderfully colourful and occasionally ridiculous world of Hill Valley.

The choreography is another real highlight. There’s a fabulous sense of movement throughout, with big, energetic ensemble numbers that make full use of the stage and give the production that extra burst of musical theatre excitement. It’s slick, confident and performed with tremendous precision.

And while there’s certainly plenty of comedy, the story still manages to retain the warmth that made the original film so appealing. Beneath all the chaos, it’s ultimately about family, friendship and discovering that the people closest to us might not always be quite who we imagined them to be.

The music: does Back to the Future need to be a musical?

Now, here’s where I have to be a little more reserved with my praise.

There’s no questioning the quality of the vocals or the sheer energy of the musical numbers. The company sounds fantastic, the choreography is superb and everything is delivered with the sort of confidence you’d expect from a major production of this scale.

But if I’m being completely fair, I didn’t leave the theatre humming the new songs.

For the stage adaptation, Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard have created an original score alongside the familiar musical moments from the film. And while the new numbers certainly work within the show, providing plenty of opportunities for impressive vocals and big ensemble performances, I can’t honestly say any of them particularly stayed with me afterwards.

The classics, of course, are a different matter entirely. Those familiar musical moments immediately bring a smile to your face and provide exactly the sort of nostalgic rush that audiences are hoping for.

It’s perhaps the one area where Back to the Future doesn’t quite reach the heights of the very best musicals. The songs help drive the story along, and they’re performed brilliantly, but the original score doesn’t necessarily leave you desperate to listen to the cast recording on the journey home.

Does that spoil the experience? Not in the slightest. Because what this production might lack in instantly memorable new tunes, it more than makes up for in practically every other department.

1.21 gigawatts of theatrical magic?

Right. We need to talk about the car.

THE CAR!

Because let’s be perfectly clear about one thing. The DeLorean deserves five stars all on its own.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that the effects created around this iconic vehicle are among the most astonishing things I’ve seen in a theatre. The work of TwinsFX is nothing short of extraordinary, and the ingenuity involved in bringing this famous time machine to life is simply mind-blowing.

There are moments when you genuinely find yourself sitting there thinking, “How on earth are they doing THAT?” And just when you think you’ve worked it out, the production throws something else at you that leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew about what was possible on a theatre stage.

I don’t want to give too much away, because discovering those moments for yourself is a huge part of the enjoyment. But trust me, whatever you’re expecting, prepare to be impressed.

Now, anyone who has read my previous reviews will know that I’m not usually the biggest fan of productions that rely too heavily on projections. Too often, I find myself wishing there were more physical scenery rather than simply another image appearing on a screen.

But Back to the Future gets the balance absolutely right.

Yes, there’s extensive use of video projection, but it’s integrated with such style and imagination that it becomes part of the theatrical experience rather than a substitute for it. And crucially, there’s still a substantial physical set to enjoy.

The production makes excellent use of its scenery, including a revolve that keeps the action moving beautifully between locations. The projections, lighting, moving scenery and spectacular effects all work together to create something that feels genuinely cinematic without ever forgetting that we’re watching live theatre.

That’s quite an achievement.

Under John Rando’s direction, with scenic and costume design by Tim Hatley, video design by Finn Ross, lighting by Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone, and illusions by Chris Fisher, the technical elements combine to create a production that’s polished, inventive and frequently breathtaking.

It’s the sort of show that reminds you just how magical theatre can be when a creative team really pushes the boundaries.

And as for that DeLorean? Well, I still want to know how they did it!

Does the musical stand the test of time?

Nostalgia is a powerful thing, particularly when it comes to a film as beloved as Back to the Future. There’s an undeniable thrill in hearing familiar lines, seeing recognisable characters and watching moments you’ve known for years suddenly come to life in front of you.

But what impressed me most about this production is that it doesn’t rely solely on that nostalgia.

Yes, the familiar references are there, and yes, fans of the film will have an absolute field day spotting their favourite moments. But the performances, choreography, staging and technical wizardry are more than strong enough to make this an entertaining evening in its own right.

I went in expecting to enjoy bits of it. I came out having enjoyed pretty much the whole thing.

And perhaps that’s the biggest compliment I can give it.

The score might not be one I’ll have on repeat, but the theatrical experience itself is something else entirely. It’s funny, energetic, visually spectacular and packed with performances that make the whole adventure feel fresh and exciting.

Roger Bart had me laughing until my sides hurt, Axel Duffy was a superb Marty McFly, and the technical team managed to leave me completely baffled in the very best possible way.

What more could you really ask for?

Is Back to the Future worth seeing on its UK tour?

Absolutely. And that’s coming from somebody who wasn’t particularly bothered about seeing it in the first place!

Back to the Future: The Musical is a superb production that understands exactly what makes live theatre so special. It takes a film that millions of people already love and gives audiences something genuinely exciting to experience, rather than simply asking them to sit back and remember how good the original was.

Axel Duffy is outstanding as Marty, Roger Bart is an absolute comedy masterclass as Doc Brown, and the wider company delivers some fabulous vocals and choreography. Add in a wonderfully inventive set, clever use of projections and effects that have to be seen to be believed, and you’ve got an evening of entertainment that’s difficult to resist.

Would I have liked a few more memorable original songs? Yes, absolutely. But when the rest of the production is this good, it’s a relatively small complaint.

And that brings me back to where I started. I wasn’t particularly excited about going to see Back to the Future.

Now? I’d happily go and see it again!

If that’s not proof that this production has worked its magic, I don’t know what is.

Great Scott! It turns out the future of this musical is looking rather bright. Just don’t ask me how they made that car do what it does!

Matinee Dog rating: ★★★★☆

Back to the Future: The Musical plays the Bristol Hippodrome until 21 November 2026 before continuing its UK tour.

Reviewed: Thursday 22 October 2026, Bristol Hippodrome.

Tickets: https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com/uk-tour/tour-dates/