⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Four Stars)

Depicting one of the most iconic examples of female friendship in movie history, the 1991 film Thelma & Louise has - indisputably - left a lasting cultural impact. It was, therefore, only a matter of time until a stage adaptation came along. With the movie’s (Academy Award-winning) screenwriter, Callie Khouri, returning to pen the musical adaptation’s book, Thelma & Louise at the Young Vic manages to capture the adventure and devastation of these two women’s story in a cinematic and atmospheric production. The practical limitations of telling this story within a theatre mean that the final moments feel somewhat underwhelming compared to the famous final scene of the movie, and it does feel strange to be watching a story mostly set on the road without a car in sight. However, the other elements of the production - from its design to its performances - for the most part more than make up for this.

Thelma (Amy Lennox), an unfulfilled housewife with doubts about her husband’s fidelity, and her best friend Louise (Rachel Tucker), a fiercely protective waitress, escape their everyday lives with a weekend trip to a fishing cabin. However, a dangerous turn of events sees a man killed and our titular characters on a one-way road trip, headed for Mexico. Both Lennox and Tucker deliver powerhouse acting performances in Thelma & Louise, putting their own spin on the recognisable characters. Both are incredibly vocally impressive and really do feel like a dream leading lady pairing. They’re joined on stage by a strong supporting cast including Trevor Dion Nicholas as the only detective interested in understanding the women’s illegal actions. Jordan Luke Gage plays a charming criminal - a role very much in Gage’s skillset after appearing in shows such as Heathers and Bonnie & Clyde - that Thelma and Louise encounter on their journey.

The elephant in the room is, of course, the car. Throughout the show there are many mentions of Louise’s Ford Thunderbird convertible. However we only see the vehicle for one brief moment, when Thelma and Louise first arrive on stage. For the rest of the show, the car itself is not present which is a curious choice that appears to be mostly based on logistics. There are, however, many other staging choices made by director Trip Cullman that are incredibly effective. At several points, the slow beat of a drum is accompanied by the ensemble cast tapping their foot or pounding their fist, building the tension very effectively. The reveal that a scene we are watching of Thelma is, in fact, a recording being shown to her husband by the police, is also executed impressively.

The music and lyrics by Neko Case are mostly effective in building atmosphere and conveying emotions. There are, however, a few moments where Thelma & Louise falls into the screen-to-stage trap of musicalising a moment unnecessarily lest we forget we’re watching a musical. When Hal (Trevor Dion Nicholas) is telling Thelma’s husband Darryl (Samuel Edwards) what has happened to his missing wife, the choice to have the dialogue be sung trivialises a serious moment in the narrative. On the flip side, there are some beautifully written numbers, such as Thelma and Louise’s final duet where they sing about living before they die.

The Americana aesthetic is achieved impressively by scenographers Christine Jones and Brett J Banakis. The Young Vic’s wide stage is transformed into a saloon bar that wraps around the first few rows of the audience. Neon signs and taxidermy animal heads adorn the back wall, which will eventually open up to show the Grand Canyon as a painted backdrop in a stunning reveal.

Thelma & Louise is an ambitious production that excels in its atmosphere and storytelling. While the omission of the duo’s car may be disappointing to some audience members, the strength of other aspects of the production still means that this musical adaptation stands out as a strong example of the film-to-stage musical adaptations we’ve seen so often in recent years.

Thelma & Louise runs at Young Vic until 24th October 2026.

Tickets Available Here