Ad disclosure: We were provided with press tickets for the purpose of this post.
(4 stars)
A faithful adaptation that packs a nostalgic punch
It seems like every iconic ’80s and ’90s film is being adapted into a musical these days – with mixed results! James and I went to see The Karate Kid The Musical, which is currently on its UK premiere tour, and thankfully this adaptation is one of the good ones. It serves up a visually striking dose of nostalgia, complete with a heart-warming ending that stays true to the spirit of the original film.
It’s been years since I last watched The Karate Kid, but it’s the sort of film whose plot, characters and iconic moments stay with you. This stage version does a great job of bringing those memorable scenes to life, while remaining easy to follow for anyone who hasn’t seen the movie.
Daniel LaRusso, played by Gino Ochello in his professional stage debut, moves to California with his widowed mother to make a fresh start. Before school even begins he befriends Freddie, but soon catches the attention of Cobra Kai student Johnny and his friends after Johnny’s ex-girlfriend, Ali (with an “I”), shows an interest in Daniel (with an “L”).
The bullying escalates until the apartment maintenance man, Mr Miyagi, steps in to help. His attempt to mediate with Cobra Kai’s sensei somehow results in Daniel agreeing to compete in the All Valley Karate Tournament, while spending the next two months training under Mr Miyagi’s unconventional guidance. It’s a straightforward story, making it accessible even for audiences unfamiliar with the original.
At its heart, The Karate Kid explores relationships between parents and children, mentors and students, bullies and their victims, and, of course, first love. It’s packed with uplifting moments as those relationships develop and the characters grow.
Adrian Pang delivers the standout performance of the evening as Mr Miyagi. He perfectly captures the character’s blend of quiet wisdom, grumpy humour and genuine compassion. From his speech and mannerisms to his body language, he embodies the beloved character without ever feeling like an impersonation.
Sharing the stage with him is Gino Ochello, who gives Daniel plenty of vulnerability alongside his determination to overcome his troubles. His physical performance, particularly during Daniel’s more anxious moments, actually reminded me of Ryan Kopel’s wonderful portrayal of Evan Hansen.
I also really enjoyed Matt Mills as Cobra Kai sensei John Kreese, who makes for an intimidating, hyper-macho villain obsessed with creating winners at any cost. Meanwhile, recent graduate Finley Oliver brings plenty of charm as Freddie Fernandez, giving me young Jonathan Groff vibes throughout.
Visually, the production is absolutely stunning. The set design combines moving Japanese style panels, mirrors, projections, silhouettes and clever lighting to transform the stage from scene to scene. Daniel’s apartment effortlessly revolves to become Mr Miyagi’s workshop, complete with his carefully tended bonsai trees, creating an especially impressive centrepiece for a touring production.
The choreography is equally spectacular. Martial arts movements are blended seamlessly with contemporary dance to create something genuinely unique, and I particularly loved the way the ensemble became an extension of Mr Miyagi’s movements during several sequences. Even the moving scenery became part of the choreography, flowing around with the cast rather than simply changing locations. The fight choreography is every bit as exciting, especially during the climactic tournament and the training montage leading up to it.
There were a few things that stopped the show from reaching five-star territory. A slightly shaky spotlight proved distracting throughout, and the opening felt a little uncertain, taking a couple of songs before it really found its footing. While the music is perfectly enjoyable in the moment, very little of it lingers once you’ve left the theatre. Sharon Sexton’s emotional performance of If I Could Take His Pain Away is the clear exception, delivering one of the evening’s most memorable musical moments – especially to a mum of teens like me!
Fans of the original film will be delighted by the loving recreation of many of its most iconic scenes. Daniel learns to “wax on, wax off”, Mr Miyagi attempts to catch flies with chopsticks, and the famous beach balancing sequence is beautifully recreated as the sun sets behind him. The costumes are another highlight, from the instantly recognisable Cobra Kai uniforms to the traditional karate gi and hachimaki headband that Daniel wears.
The Karate Kid The Musical is a good adaptation, a decent musical, and definitely worth seeing at least once for fans of the original film. It feels true to the soul of the movie, teaching the importance of balance of both body and mind, while still giving Johnny his own moment of redemption at the end as he realises he’s been steered down the wrong path. The music may not stay with you long after you’ve left the theatre, but the impressive staging, inventive choreography and excellent performances certainly will.
The show runs for around 2 hours and 30 minutes, including the interval, and is a fun night out for anyone who grew up with the original film or enjoys an uplifting coming-of-age story. It may not be a musical you’ll be humming all the way home, but it captures the heart and nostalgia of the film brilliantly.
The Karate Kid The Musical is at The Alexandra, Birmingham until Saturday 25th July 2026. If you’d like to catch it while it’s in the city, you can book tickets via The Alexandra’s website. You can also find the full UK tour dates on the official website.
