Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre – American Psycho (Almeida Theatre, London) – ★★★ REVIEW

Host: MickeyJoTheatre
Date: February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

Mickey Jo reviews the 2026 revival of American Psycho: The Musical at London's Almeida Theatre, reflecting on the show's evolution, its artistic choices, and whether the infamous narrative of Patrick Bateman truly works in musical theatre form. The episode combines critique of the material, performances, and production with broader musings on the adaptation’s relevance and impact today.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background & Context

• [00:31] The Almeida's revival of American Psycho bookends Rupert Goold’s tenure as artistic director; the show originally premiered here before transferring to Broadway.
• Mickey Jo recounts his own anticipation, having attended the original London production as a young theatre fan.

Quote:

"It does feel as though a reinvigorated version of American Psycho brought to the stage in 2026 ought to have a little bit more to say about a char like Patrick Bateman and his peers, rather than simply allowing the audience to giggle at their very vacuous, callous worldviews." (08:20)

• The revival is described as a cross between a remounting and a full-blown new staging, raising questions about its narrative and cultural resonance in today’s context.

2. Adapting the Source: Story and Structure

• [02:11] Mickey Jo details the original novel’s relentless repetition, lists of meals, designer labels, and violence—all heavily streamlined for stage.
• The musical relies on audiences arriving with preconceptions of Bateman, keeping exposition minimal and focusing on style over meaning.
• The ambiguity of Bateman’s reality—central to the novel and film—is left less explored in the musical, which opts instead for a “stylish” presentation with ambiguous substance.

Quote:

“This entire adaptation is less meaningful than it is stylish.” (06:33)

3. Tone and Audience Reception

• [06:55] The show flirts with camp and parody, evidenced by the tongue-in-cheek handling of Bateman’s exposition and recognizable monologues.
• Mickey Jo observes that the audience’s reactions stem from recognition, with the show frequently teetering between parody and genuine horror.
• Despite the story’s potential for social critique—in an era questioning capitalism and empathy—the production opts largely for surface allure.

4. The Music: Original Score & 80s Soundtrack

• [09:54] Mickey Jo debates whether the musical would work better as a play, criticizing Duncan Sheik’s original score as “emotionally detached and cold,” which fits thematically but lacks punch.

• The use of recognizable 80s tracks (“Hip to Be Square”, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, “In the Air Tonight”) are cited as the show’s most effective musical moments, providing energy and ironic juxtaposition against content.

• The most memorable original number is “You Are What You Wear,” lauded for its witty fashion-centric lyricism, though much of the rest of the score fails to stand out.

Quote:

"Any lyric that can rhyme Mahi Mahi with Isaac Mizrahi. I’m sorry, but that is campy and brilliant." (12:22)

5. Creative/Production Choices & Performances

• [16:39] The creative team remains mostly intact:

  • Direction: Rupert Goold – maintaining cohesion and a high-gloss aesthetic.
  • Choreography: Lynne Page – praised for inventive, era-appropriate stylings.
  • Lighting/Video: John Clark & Finn Ross – notable use of onstage LED floor, glitch effects, and stylized representations of violence (e.g., blood as lighting/video).
  • Costume Design: Katrina Lindsay – evocative but perhaps lacking “expensiveness” in Bateman’s wardrobe.

• Notable moments include the use of handheld mics during stylized restaurant scenes and clever staging to keep gore stylized rather than explicit.

Standout Performances

• Artie Froushan (Patrick Bateman):

  • More expressive and animated than Matt Smith’s original, walking a fine line before over-acting.
  • Not a natural singer but excels at choreography and capturing Bateman’s disturbing presence.

  Quote:

  “What he does do capably more so than his predecessor, is execute a lot of the choreography. And there is something sinister and unpredictable about the way he moves around the stage. Almost animalistic... and this sort of the Joker from Batman kind of a smile.” (17:56)

• Emily Barber (Evelyn): Scene-stealing as Bateman’s girlfriend—funny, bold, and sharp.

• Ollie Higginson (Tim): Mickey Jo’s favorite role for him, capturing biting impatience.

• Daniel Bravo (Paul Owen): Confident and compelling nemesis.

• Supporting cast like Hannah Yun Chambers Chamberlain, Asher Parker Wallace, Tanisha Spring, Jung Si Yong, and Kim Ismae all earn praise for presence and energy, despite some underuse.

6. Production Impact & Recommendations

• Mickey Jo describes the revival as “stylish” above all, possibly lacking in depth, horror, and emotional progression. The show is sold-out, but he encourages checking for ticket returns and suggests sitting downstairs for best sightlines.

Quote:

"If you are a nervous theater goer, then it's not not all that scary or suspenseful. It certainly doesn't offer that much gore." (22:04)

• Mickey Jo recommends adjusting expectations: anticipate a visually striking and cool experience, but not a profound or disturbing one.
• He welcomes listener reactions, especially disagreements or overlooked perspectives, and wraps by urging a “Stagey day.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “One thing that you cannot fault is the executions. Honestly, they are killing it on stage. Oh my God.” (00:31) – Opening with a pun, setting a playful but critical tone
• “It almost feels like a deliberately comic American Psycho musical at times. The thing that keeps it from going over the edge is this tone, which is only one part campy to several more parts chilling, but largely just stylish.” (06:37)
• “But because we are expecting the deaths and anticipating the deaths and then sort of announcing them with this musical clue, we don't have any of the shock factor. We are willing him to kill these people almost just because we know that it's necessity of the narrative…” (12:46)
• “There is a real sense of cohesion in the direction, in the aesthetic, in the material, with everything committing very deliberately to this veneer of style.” (19:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Show history, context, and personal anecdotes – 00:31–04:00
• Adaptation structure & Bateman as a character – 04:00–08:00
• Tone, audience, and the concept of 'style over substance' – 06:30–09:30
• Score critique & use of 80s music – 09:54–14:00
• Staging, creative choices & cast breakdown – 16:39–20:30
• Final thoughts, recommendations & ticket tips – 22:00–23:50

Overall Tone & Style

Mickey Jo’s signature mix of witty commentary, sharp critical insight, and theatrical enthusiasm keeps the review engaging and accessible. He balances admiration for the production’s style and performance with pointed skepticism about its substance and lasting impact.

Useful for Listeners Who…

• Are curious if American Psycho works as a musical in 2026
• Want to know about the cast, choreography, and creative decisions
• Appreciate a balance of humor, honest critique, and theatre know-how
• Are deciding whether to seek out tickets to the Almeida revival

For those who missed the episode: You’ll come away understanding the essence of the show’s current revival, its creative achievements, and the tempered critical response. Mickey Jo leaves you with the sense that American Psycho's 2026 musical incarnation is all about the surface—and, for many, that may be enough for an entertaining night at the theatre.