Often referred to as the ‘funniest musical of all time, The Book of Mormon certainly lives up to expectations and is a definite stand-out to anything else you may have watched in the theatre before.
Returning to Wales Millennium Centre by popular demand, the show follows the story of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, who have just completed their Mormon missionary training. The pair are sent on a two-year posting to a very unlikely location, where they’re expected to teach people there all about Mormonism and recruit members into the church.
As two young men with a very naive perception of what the real world is like, they encounter a few bumps in the road as they try to succeed in their mission, in a story which grips the audience through lovable characters and plenty of laughs.
Written by the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Robert Lopez, co-creator of Avenue Q, the humour you’d expect shines through from the off-set. The show has suggestive undertones, very dark humour and outlandish lyrics throughout, but that’s reflective of the storyline itself. As both Elders embark on their mission in a part of the world which is less fortunate than them, they soon come to realise that the world isn’t the perfection that they’ve always been exposed to. So those intense lyrics and gritty one-liners are all for good reason. And the proof is in the pudding, with its blunt, honest script making it such a hit across the globe, also boasting a number of Tony®, Olivier® and Grammy® awards all under its belt.
It’s true that this show needs to come with a warning; it’s not the typical musical you’ll find at your local theatre that’s suitable for all the family. But if you’re not easily offended and want to experience something completely unique, this is for you. I laughed throughout, the people around me laughed throughout, and even though there were lines which made me wince in awkward ‘too far?’ thoughts, it’s certainly a musical to remember.
The Book of Mormon is at Wales Millennium Centre until 19th July 2025, with tickets from £16.
Book now or regret it: https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2025/the-book-of-mormon