Review: Pop Off, Michelangelo! (Underbelly Boulevard)

Review by Rosie Holmes

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seeing a new musical is always exciting, and so I was extremely excited to see Pop Off, Michelangelo! at Underbelly Boulevard. This show is an unapologetically camp, funny, and frequently over the top romp through Renaissance Italy which doesn’t take itself seriously for a second, which makes it a lot of fun. This is the tale of the legendary Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci (the artists, not the turtles!) but not as we know them from history, but as fabulously flawed individuals attempting to earn divine forgiveness.

Pop Off, Michelangelo! follows best friends Michelangelo and Leonardo as they turn bitter rivals and attempt to earn divine forgiveness for being gay by becoming the best artists of their generation. Reminiscent of Elphaba and Glinda, just set in Renaissance Italy!. The tone for the show is set from the moment you enter, as the audience are welcomed into a world of glorious pink and blue, with a screen flashes with Beyoncé’s Renaissance album artwork, and we’re told we're about to witness ‘the first renaissance’ in the first of many, many pop culture references. These references come thick and fast, from Mean Girls to High School Musical, and most of them land with hilarious precision.

At the heart of the show are Max Eade as the title character, Michelangelo, and Aidan MacColl as his bestie turned rival Leonardo. Eade reprises his role from the Edinburgh Fringe and The Other Palace runs, his portrayal of Michelangelo is both funny and vulnerable, creating a flawed man who the audience still want to root for. He expertly balances the character's ambition and vulnerability, and in the show’s rare tender moment, “When You Met Your Son Jesus,” his vocal talent shines, giving us a brief but moving glimpse of the emotional weight beneath all the fun. Aidan MacColl, also returning to the show, is beautifully earnest in his role as Leonardo Da Vinci, but also cheeky and flamboyant, engaging the audience throughout in a way that makes you feel like you’re part of the chaos.

And then there’s Aoife Haakenson, who steals the show with a limited but impactful performance as a character simply listed as ‘Mother.’ Her standout number, "Pick Me Girl," showcases not only her impressive vocal chops, but also her impeccable comic timing. Meanwhile, Michael Marouli, best known for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, brings a brilliantly absurd spin to the Pope, fruity vape and gold chains included, displaying unexpected dance moves and razor-sharp comedic delivery.

If there’s one thing this show isn’t, it’s subtle. The comedy is relentless, the pop culture references are crammed into every scene, and the jokes mostly land with aplomb. But there were times when it felt like the sheer number of references were overcompensating for the plot. While the show’s unapologetic humour is undoubtedly fun, and there is certainly purpose and room for pure joy in the theatre landscape, it occasionally left me wishing for a bit more depth, especially when it came to some of the show’s more serious themes. For example, the trial scene in which Leonardo faces the fear of execution for being gay is a moment of genuine tension, and one that could’ve used a little more weight. It’s an incredibly relevant theme in today's world, and though the show never loses its sense of fun, I couldn’t help but feel that it missed an opportunity to delve deeper into this topic, even just for a moment.

But don’t get me wrong, Pop Off, Michelangelo! is first and foremost a comedy, and it delivers on that front. Some of the songs, like the opening number “Renaissance Man” and "Pick Me Girl," are both catchy and clever, seamlessly blending historic references with modern wit in a way that’s reminiscent of Six. Other songs, however, such as “Networking Event,” feel a bit more like filler than essential narrative drivers. The set design by PJ McEvoy works wonders in the intimate space, with a bright, breezy aesthetic that perfectly matches the show’s vibe, and the cloud-shaped video screen serves as a clever storytelling tool, projecting images and messages that help move the plot along while adding a visual punch to the proceedings.

Pop Off, Michelangelo! is a pure joyride. It’s packed with laughs, bursting with energy, and unapologetically camp. It doesn’t always take a breath to let the plot develop and sine, but if you’re in the mood for a night of unbridled fun, it’s a solid win.

Pop Off, Michelangelo! plays ay Underbelly Boulevard Soho until 13th July 2025, tickets and more information can be found here - https://www.popoffmichelangelo.com/

Photos by Danny with a Camera