⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Four Stars)

If you thought there was only so much corn-based humour a musical could handle, Shucked is here to prove you wrong. And it does so with more puns, charm, and heart than you might expect from a show set in a town obsessed with sweetcorn.

Set in the fictional Cob County, where life revolves around growing, consuming, and singing about corn, Shucked sees its golden crop mysteriously begin to wither, sending wide-eyed Maizy (Sophie McShera) on a quest far beyond the cornfields to Tampa, Florida in search of a solution. What follows is a whirlwind of small-town antics, big laughs, and love triangles.

The story is narrated by two on-stage storytellers, a delightful device that not only keeps the pace brisk but provides lots of meta-theatrical fun. Monique Ashe-Palmer and Steven Webb shine in these roles, expertly juggling narration and multi-rolling with impeccable comedic timing. Their interplay is sharp and they manage to ground the show’s ridiculous elements with just enough winking self-awareness.

Robert Horn’s book is unapologetically crammed with puns (the cornier the better!) turning Shucked into what feels like an American interpretation of a pantomime. It’s a relentless onslaught of jokes that ranges from eye-roll-inducing to laugh-out-loud funny, and it lands more often than it misses. If you’re not a fan of pun-heavy humour, you might find yourself groaning frequently, but there’s something infectious about the show’s commitment to its corny humour.

Musically, the score by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally is a toe-tapping celebration of country-pop. From the rousing ensemble numbers to standout solos, every song sounds excellent under Katy Richardson’s musical direction. Georgina Onuorah brings the house down as Lulu with the powerhouse anthem “Independently Owned,” while Ben Joyce’s Beau delivers a heartfelt, impassioned performance in “Somebody Will.” McShera’s Maizy is earnest and endearing, a perfect foil to Matthew Seadon-Young’s duplicitous Gordy.

Visually, the production makes brilliant use of Regent’s Park’s unique outdoor setting. Scott Pask’s set, largely made up of a wooden barn flanked by wilting cornfields, transforms beautifully as the story progresses and night falls in the park. The open-air theatre becomes part of the experience, with birds chirping and Japhy Weideman’s lighting taking over once the sun sets around the interval. It’s a natural fit for a show so rooted in rural Americana.

Jack O’Brien’s direction deftly translates the Broadway hit to this open-air space, maintaining the fast pace and irreverent energy while allowing space for the more emotional beats to breathe. Sarah O’Gleby’s choreography (or should that be “corneography”?) is used to great effect, particularly in the inventive number “Best Man Wins,” where cast members perform impressively on planks of wood over rolling barrels.

Ultimately, Shucked is a blast: a gleefully silly and surprisingly heartfelt celebration of community, optimism, and corny humour.

Shucked runs at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 14th June 2025.

Tickets are available here: https://openairtheatre.com/production/shucked