The Book of Mormon – Review – Hull New Theatre

By Rachel Howard, March 2025

If you live in Hull or the surrounding areas, you will have known for a few weeks that “The Mormons Are Coming”…

Posters have been springing up all over the city, joyfully announcing a three-week run of the “Funniest Musical Of All Time”. That’s quite the accolade, and a three-week run at Hull New Theatre doesn’t happen often, so hopes are set very high as the show rolls into town.

I’ll be honest, this isn’t my first time watching The Book of Mormon. I was lucky enough to see it in the West End about eight years ago and I remember it being hilarious, so I’m hoping it’s still a riotous and fun night out as I take my seat for press night on the Hull leg of the UK tour.

Written by the creators of cult TV show South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, alongside songwriter Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, Frozen), The Book of Mormon was never going to be a genteel affair. If you’re familiar with the dark, offensive humour of South Park, you’ll know exactly what you’re letting yourself in for. However, not everyone does their research, and for those expecting a genuine celebration of the Mormon faith, they may well be disappointed. And indeed a little shocked!

“Breathless”

The story follows two young Mormon missionaries, Elder Price (Adam Bailey) and Elder Cunningham (Sam Glen) as they look to spread the word of God. Despite Elder Price’s dreams of being posted to Orlando, Florida, the pair find themselves in Uganda, in a poverty stricken and AIDS-ravaged village ruled over by a violent warlord with a penchant for murder and female genital mutilation. Not exactly the ideal environment for our innocent Elders to start converting everyone to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…

But that’s just the beginning, and what ensues for the following two hours can only be described as outrageous, shocking, depraved and, in my opinion, downright hysterical. Laughs abound from start to finish, courtesy of not only superb writers, but also the extraordinarily talented cast, who make a touring production look like a West End spectacular.

Some of my highlights are when all the Elders take to the stage for the group numbers, dancing in absolute precision while belting out songs including the opening number ‘Hello! And Turn It Off’ – a jaunty tap-dancing scene led by Elder McKinley (Tom Bales), a closeted gay man who encourages the Elders to simply “turn off” any uncomfortable feelings they may have.

Another standout performance closes the first half and is led by Elder Cunningham. ‘Man Up’ is a showstopper of a number that showcases Sam Glen’s powerful vocals alongside perfect comedy timing. The addition of a live orchestra, dazzling lighting and seamless staging leaves us all breathless as the curtain comes down for the interval.

“No let up”

But it’s not all flamboyant crassness, there are moments of sensitivity, and they are mostly brought by the character of Nabulungi, played by Nyah Nish. As a young female in the village, she is most in danger from the General, so the Elders’ idea of paradise – Salt Lake City (or Sal Tlay Ka Siti as it is known by the Ugandans) – might actually afford her the freedom and safety she so desperately needs. Nyah Nish excels on stage, her vocals are awesome, and she switches from poignant vulnerability to vulgar hilarity with ease. She is also the subject of some of the night’s biggest laughs, which come from Elder Cunningham’s inability to remember Nabulungi’s name. Nutella, Necrophilia, Nicki Minaj… all humorous guesses, but it’s naming her Nigel Farage that really sets the audience off.

As we rocket towards the climax of the show, and the villagers putting on their own, not-so-accurate, version of the story of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the laughs come thick and fast. There is no let up in the humour, and by the time we rise to our feet for a well deserved standing ovation, we’re running out of breath.

In case it hasn’t been made clear, this is absolutely not a show for the faint hearted, or the easily offended. Blasphemy, all the bad language (yes ALL of it), sexism, racism, this show has it all. But the devil is in the detail, and as vulgar as it is, the show is really about tackling the subjects that most would run away from and encouraging us to question our beliefs, be them religious or not.

For those who read the warnings and still fancy giving it a go, I can guarantee a night full of laughs, a few shocks and some top-notch entertainment. Just leave your political correctness at the door!

‘The Book of Mormon’ is at Hull New Theatre until 22nd March

Rachel Howard( Writer )

After studying English at university and having a lifelong love of writing, Rachel, a full-time editor, came to On Yorkshire in 2017 where she started off reviewing theatre productions in and around the East Yorkshire area. That love of theatre soon expanded into hotels, restaurants and travel, not to mention becoming one of On Yorkshire’s resident beauty editors, reviewing the latest products, spas and treatments. Rachel loves to sample the very best Yorkshire and the UK have to offer in order to bring you the low down on the high life!

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