REVIEW: THE BOOK THIEF @ PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE

🎭 The Book Thief

📍  Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street, London, W1D 6AS

🗓 Sunday 26th October 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

AN UTTERLY ARRESTING CONCERT PRODUCTION

THE BOOK THIEF isn't just a show, it's a testament to the power of words. A heartbreaking embrace of humanity in the darkest of times.

This concert production at London's Prince of Wales Theatre, helmed with exquisite care by director and choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, proves that you don't need a full staging to achieve profound theatricality. It is stark, moving, and ultimately unforgettable triumph.

The narrative, adapted by Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen McDonald is gripping, and transfers wonderfully from page to stage. Following the journey of young Liesel Meminger in Nazi Germany, the story never shies away from its heavy themes, yet weaves them with such grace and humanity that it becomes a beacon of hope.

The genius of centering the tale on Death's narration is impactful, with Melanie La Barrie's masterful performance adding a layer of compelling compassion to the morbid observer. It is a poignant, powerful, and perfectly paced adaptation.

La Barrie is commanding in the role and is simply outstanding. Her vocals are of course stunning, nut for me it's her ability to convey a mix of weariness and fascination with the human race that was truly captivating.

The young actors playing Liesel and Rudy, Estella Evans and Blake Graham, are astonishing. They both delivered emotional maturity beyond their years, making their innocent, yet defiant, friendship the very heart of the story.

The Hubernanns, Hans (Jack Lord) and Rosa (Cat Simmons), are beautifully realised, bringing a grounded warmth and sharp-tongued love to the narrative that I found endearing. Isaac Gryn's portrayal of Max Vandenburg is full of heartbreaking vulnerability, forging a deeply moving bond with Liesel. Every single cast member, from the ensemble to the leads, is a marvel, embodying the richness of these characters with immense talent.

Tom Jackson Greaves' direction, combined with his choreography, is visually poetic and a stroke of theatrical genius. With limited staging it's as if the movement becomes the set itself, telling a story in perfect parallel to the music. It's almost like puppetry, used to evoke a sense of wonder and pain, which I found to be particularly creative and moving. The stage is used to its full potential, with every gesture and every step carrying significant emotional weight.

The orchestration and musical direction, under Matthew Malone and Natalie Pound respectively, are flawless, delivering Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson's beautiful poignant score with immense power.

This concert production of THE BOOK THIEF is not a mere showcase, but rather a full, realised theatrical event that left a palpable sense of awe in the theatre. It is a raw and emotional experience that uses music, movement, and a stellar cast to bring a beloved story to breathtaking life. It is beautiful, it is harrowing, and it is a powerful reminder that kindness can be a form of rebellion.

For someone who watches as much theatre as I do, it is a real treat to be absolutely blown away by something as much as I was by this. It was a sensational shared experience with my fellow audience members as the brutality and poignancy of the story unfolded in front of us.

This was something truly spectacular. I would love to see this get a full West End run, with the same creative team. Somewhere like the Ambassadors Theatre would be an excellent venue for this show in my opinion.

This was definitely the theatrical event of the year, and what a joy it was to witness.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

CAST LIST:

Melanie La Barrie as Death; Isaac Gryn as Max Vandenburg; Jack Lord as Hans Hubermann; Cat Simmons as Rosa Hubermann; Estella Evans as Liesel Meminger; Blake Graham as Rudy Steiner; Leo Abad as Tommy Müller & others; Matthew Caputo as Walter Kugler & others; Oonagh Cox as Paula Meminger & others; Michał Horowicz as Eva Vandenburg & others; Thomas-Lee Kido as Mayor Hermann & others; Nell Martin as Isla Hermann & others; Corinna Powlesand & others; Gleanne Purcell-Brown as Barbara Steiner & others; Edwin Ray as Alex Steiner & others; Timo Tatzber as Isaac Kleinmann & others; Russell Wilcox as Wolfgang Edel & others

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 30 minutes, including interval

CONTENT WARNINGS:

Bad language; Violence; Themes of the Holocaust, death, grief, antisemitism, racism, and xenophobia

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