Review: The Glamification of Loki (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)

Review by Dan Ghigeanu

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Who better to embody the eternal quest for youth and beauty than the gods themselves? Maybe, only the giants of today’s beauty industry, those serum-slinging moguls who sell immortality in a bottle, priced just beyond reach. The Glamification of Loki, the latest vibrant production from British Youth Music Theatre, finds that sweet spot where mythological mischief collides with modern cosmetic obsession, resulting in a gloriously chaotic spectacle that is as glittering as it is thought-provoking.

Fresh off its well-deserved win at the 2024 New Music Theatre Award, The Glamification of Loki, makes a bold entrance at Southwark Playhouse Elephant. With book and lyrics by Eden Tredwell , what unfolds is an irreverent, high-energy musical that reimagines Norse mythology with a glam-jazz flair, a sharp tongue, and a whip-smart understanding of contemporary culture. Directed with visual flair and emotional clarity by Grace Taylor, the show is a kinetic swirl of camp, chaos, and charisma that refuses to let the audience sit still or stop smiling.

At the heart of the story is Loki, the infamous Norse god of mischief. This isn’t your beloved anti-hero from the Marvel films, but a magnetic shapeshifter with a penchant for illusion and existential dilemmas. Chasing mundane immortality and hungry for eternal beauty, Loki descends to Midgard (Earth), landing right in the middle of a corporate hive of a major cosmetics company. What better place, after all, to chase eternal youth than the altar of beauty capitalism?

The story unfolds in a clever and grounded way. Loki, the trickster, finds himself intertwined in the lives of a group of mortals whose own struggles with image, ambition, and identity mirror his own crisis. Among them is Ingrid, an HR assistant with a dream of becoming a photographer. Ingrid wants more than the simple corporate life; she wants a way to express the world as she sees it. Their dynamic becomes the emotional core of the piece, Loki now being part mentor, part chaos agent; he disrupts Ingrid’s world while inadvertently revealing his own deep vulnerabilities.

Loki is played with dazzling confidence and nuance. A performance that balances cheeky charisma and sharp comic timing with raw emotional beats. Their vocals soar through the theatre with ease and a stage presence that demands attention. Whether conjuring illusions or confronting identity, this Loki is irresistibly layered: a diva with doubts, a trickster with a good heart. The rest of the cast is just as worthy of praise. Ingrid, portrayed with tender sincerity and quiet strength, grounds the show in a relatable way. The ensemble, playing everyone from janitor to power-hungry executive, moves as a tight and vibrant unit, full of character and energy. Their interaction with Loki brings humour and tension with every scene.

Musically, The Glamification of Loki is a triumph. The score is electric, blending pulsating jazz anthems with tender ballads and toe-tapping numbers. One of the standout numbers include a fiery ensemble piece that female Loki shines in, turning a photo shoot into a chair jazz routine. Visually, the production is full of colour. The design done by Cory Shipp is leaning into the godly glam aesthetic of Asgard with sequins and leather colliding on stage in a very visually appealing way that is loud, proud, and entirely fitting. The lighting design shifts fluidly between godly realms and corporate offices, using sharp contrasts and saturated palettes to match the show’s emotional tempo.

The choreography by Steven Moore is both clever and intricate. Seamlessly combining contemporary movement with classic jazz moves, the big dance numbers stand out throughout the show. Moments that might feel trickier to choreograph feel perfectly timed, breathing new life into the story’s themes of transformation and disruption. Credit to Steven Moore for achieving both cohesion and individuality in group numbers as each performer shines without overshadowing another performer.

But beneath the sparkle lies a poignant exploration of what it means to live authentically in a world obsessed with image. The show’s funny parts never overshadow its heart. Loki's quest for youth and relevance isn’t just vanity; it’s about identity, the fear of being forgotten, and the lengths we go to feel seen. Similarly, Ingrid’s journey speaks to anyone who has ever felt overlooked or underestimated, and the show doesn’t shy away from highlighting the challenges; instead, it celebrates complexity, reminding us that transformation is never easy and never truly complete.

The Glamification of Loki succeeds because it dares to be as smart as it is spectacular. In a day and age where youth and beauty are often commodified, the show asks us to consider what we’re really chasing and whether the mask we wear is protecting us or hiding us. Thanks to its razor-sharp book, explosive score, and a cast of rising stars, this production isn’t just a celebration of self-expression; it’s a call to embrace the chaos of becoming.

British Youth Music Theatre has once again proven its ability to nurture bold, original voices in musical theatre. With The Glamification of Loki, they’ve produced a show that feels both urgent and timeless. It’s witty, wild, and occasionally profound and above all, it’s a whole lot of fun.

The Glamificiation Of Loki played at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 29^th and 30^th August

Photos by Leanne Dixon