Pop Off, Michelangelo!
| Pop Off, Michaelangelo! | |
|---|---|
| Music | Dylan MarcAurele |
| Book | Dylan MarcAurele |
| Setting | Renaissance Italy (modernised) |
| Premiere | 31 July 2024: Gilded Balloon Patter House, Edinburgh Fringe Festival |
| Productions |
|
Pop Off, Michelangelo! is an electropop comedy musical written by Dylan MarcAurele. Directed by Joe McNeice, the musical premiered at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Production history
Dylan MarcAurele first became inspired to write the musical on his honeymoon in Florence, when he was told Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci "were both gay artists, bitter rivals, but completely different in their lifestyles and philosophies". Due to how developed with director Joe McNeice, the show fuses "British camp" and "American chick flick" sensibilities from McNeice and MarcAurele respectively.[1] Pop Off, Michelangelo! had its world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on 31 July 2024. Directed by Joe McNeice, it was performed at the Gilded Balloon Patter House until 26 August,[2] with Max Eade originating the titular role (Mike) opposite Aidan MacColl as Leonardo (Leo). Also in the cast were Sylvie Stenson, Joe Winter and Paul Toulson.[3][4]
On 4 and 4 November 2024, Pop Off, Michelangelo! had a two-night London premiere at The Other Palace. Eade, MacColl and Toulson reprised their roles, while Lucy Carter and Maiya Quansah-Breed joined as Savonarola and Mother respectively. Assistant choreographer and Edinburgh understudy Conn McGirr also played Salai, taking over from Joe Winter.[5][6]
Pop Off Michelangelo! returned to London for a spring 2025 limited run at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho, produced by Blair Russell Productions. In addition to Eade and MacColl, the cast included Laura Sillett, Kurran Dhand, Michael Marouli and Aoife Haakenson. A new mystery character portrayed by Sev Keoshgerian was added,[7] revealed to be Niccolò Machiavelli. Previews began on 17 May, the show opened on 23 May with performances until 22 June.[8][9]
Cast and characters
| Character | Edinburgh Fringe Festival | The Other Palace | Underbelly Boulevard Soho |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | ||
| Michelangelo | Max Eade | ||
| Leonardo da Vinci | Aidan MacColl | ||
| Savonarola | Sylvie Stenson | Lucy Carter | Laura Sillett |
| Salai | Joe Winter | Conn McGirr | Kurran Dhand |
| Pope | Paul Toulson | Michael Marouli | |
| Mother | — | Maiya Quansah-Breed | Aoife Haakenson |
| Niccolò Machiavelli | — | Sev Keoshgerian | |
References
- ^ Clarendon, Emma (15 May 2025). "Interview With… Dylan MarcAurele". Love London Culture. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Wild, Stephi (11 June 2024). "POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! Comes to Edinburgh Fringe". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Aslett, Annie (19 August 2024). "Review: Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 – Pop Off, Michelangelo!". Corr Blimey. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Luck, Sophie (14 August 2024). "Fringe review: POP OFF, MICHELANGELO!, Gilded Balloon Patter House". West End Best Friend. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Christi, A. A. (17 October 2024). "Musical Comedy POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! To Have London Premiere". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Luma (November 2024). "Pop Off, Michelangelo – Review". Stage to Page. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Interview with Dylan MarcAurele, Pop Off Michelangelo". Theatre & Tonic. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Gumushan, Tanyel (10 April 2025). "Pop Off, Michelangelo! announces London cast". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Cutler, John (24 May 2025). "Pop Off, Michelangelo! – Underbelly Boulevard Soho, London". The Reviews Hub. Retrieved 4 June 2025.