Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (reviewed Wednesday 11 June 2025).

“There’s a little bit of Judy in all of us,” says director Alex Andrews at the opening of JUDY at Hayes Theatre, hailing it as a love letter to movie legend and gay icon, Judy Garland. If you fell in love with her via the biopic starring Renée Zellweger, this production by Little Triangle will be a surprise. It’s less musical theatre and much more hammy in style, almost reducing her to caricature, but die-hard fans will appreciate this tribute.

Admittedly, the chosen repertoire (a rolling medley of songs) had myself and a few others wondering if they were all ‘her songs’ or a mash-up of sorts from different genres, but fans agreed that they delighted in seeing ‘the many facets of Garland’ conveyed in a one-hour show, featuring a diverse ensemble. Six vocalists, three musicians, the director and one audience member all share the stage.

Other than the brief introduction, there isn’t a back story or anecdotes to lead each segment, so unless you are one of the fans, some of the context will feel like it’s missing.

A superb ensemble production with a mixed reaction from the crowd on opening night.

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Credits:

Presented by Little Triangle in association with Hayes Theatre Co

Conceived by Alexander Andrews

Developed with Andy Freeborn

Director Alexander Andrews (he/him)

Musical Director & Piano Andy Freeborn (they/them)

Assistant Music Director Juliette Coleman (they/she)

Stage Manager Oli McGavock (they/them)

Producer Rose McClelland (she/her)

Starring 

Jack Dawson (he/him)

Prudence Holloway (she/her)

Kira Leiva (she/her) 

Sebastian Nelson (he/him)

Addy Robertson (they/them)

Madeleine Wighton (she/her)

Musicians

Violin Alec Steedman (he/they)

Drums Austin Hall (he/him)

Piano Andy Freeborn (they / them)

Promotional Photography Thomas Carr

Production Photography Jessie Jay