Writer and Composer Matthew Harvey’s new musical Unbound has made its way to London featuring a West End star-studded cast for a wicked Halloween extravaganza.

Iris has been homeschooled her entire life and finally convinces her overprotective mother to let her attend Black Lake High. But in a town that isn’t fond of “outsiders,” her hopes to fit into an ordinary life are weaponised for a cruel prank that goes awry. Seeking a friend, Iris frees an ancient witch who offers to help her get revenge. But at what cost?

After its first performance commissioned by British Youth Musical Theatre (BYMT) at the Birmingham Hippodrome, this musical has already begun to garner a cult following. Gathering its coven in Shoreditch at the intimate but impressive Hoxton Hall for a concert-style performance, Unbound nearly brought the house down. Drawing its audience to the edge of our seats and blowing us away.

Matthew Harvey’s exceptional score sets the tone and cuts teeth with killer 80s pop rock-inspired electric guitar riffs, and melodic synth sounds, layered with spooky Thriller-esk narration from Adam Pierce. Creating an atmosphere that is both enchanting and wicked. Well-written and lyrically rich, each song falls seamlessly into the narrative. There were laughs, gasps, and jaws dropped throughout the entire show.

The most notable performance comes from Courtney Stapleton (Beauty and the Beast) who is a force to be reckoned with as the protagonist, Iris. Delivering awe-inspiring vocals and emotional range that could be felt in the highest haunted rafters of Hoxton Hall and beyond. Wristbands distributed to audience members upon entry glowed in unison as she belted unafraid, uncontrolled, Unbound. Illuminating the venue and reminding us of the power we too possess as individuals and even more so as a community.

Stapelton is accompanied by a majority female ensemble in the song that inspired the plot of the show. ‘Say The Words’ lives in my memory now as a spellbinding reminder to free yourself and reclaim power by liberating your voice. Lauren Byrne (Matilda the Musical) as Dani, offers a cry-worthy acoustic ballad about the balance of staying true to yourself and desiring to belong which provides a beautiful and grounding contrast to other heavy-hitters charged by soaring electric guitar riffs. Jodie Jacobs (The Wedding Singer) as Helen belts with true rage and perfect control on my personal favorite song of Unbound’s soundtrack. An outstanding power ballad, facing off with Stapelton in a mother-daughter feud that still gives me chills. The complete cast includes Evelyn Hoskins (42 Balloons) as Lucille, Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly (Frozen) as Kennedy, Meesha Turner (Stranger Things: First Shadow) as Charlie, Jaina Brock-Patel (Babies) as Jackie, Maia Gough (Edges: A song cycle) as Trish, Dylan Mason (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,) as Scott, and Ernest Stroud (Your Lie in April) as Travis.

Following in the footsteps of cult classics like Carrie, The Heathers, and Mean Girls, Unbound’s story of a high school girl trying to fit in and take ownership of her personal power isn’t particularly unique in the way it navigates the journey but still offers another perspective on a female-centered narrative which I’d love to see more of. Though the music is superb, I think the story would benefit from further developments of a few characters and the plot. The show too quickly moves Iris through her rage and rationalises the town’s disdain for outsiders as “good people who don’t understand the evil they incite.” However, other choices the protagonist made were complex and exciting. I can’t wait to see this show in all its glam and doom on a West End stage, of which it is surely on its way.

Kennedy Jopson