Hit Musical POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! Announces Five-Week Run in Soho

In the swirl of creativity that is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, it can be easy for a production—especially a new musical—to get lost among the hundreds of shows jostling for a moment in the spotlight. Yet POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! carved out its own niche in a most spectacular fashion. Written by Dylan MarcAurele, it follows the comic rivalry between the famed Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, each determined to produce the ultimate religious masterpiece. The plot gallops off in improbable but irresistible directions, blending historical figures with gleeful anachronisms. It’s little wonder it attracted glowing word-of-mouth praise and even nabbed a Popcorn Award Special Mention—an honour that frequently foreshadows a show’s potential beyond the Fringe.

To add another feather to its cap, the musical also had concert performances at the Other Palace, a place well known for incubating fresh musical theatre talent and hosting works on the cusp of mainstream acclaim. And now, with that momentum in tow, POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! is ready to descend upon Underbelly Boulevard Soho. Mark your calendars: the official run lasts until 22 June, giving Londoners five full weeks to catch this zany homage to art, ambition, and queer identity.

Just Another Fringe Show?

I’ve seen hundreds of productions at the Fringe over the years, and only a select few stand out for their sheer, infectious energy. For me, a truly memorable musical needs more than just a catchy score and a few witty one-liners. It needs that ineffable spark that makes the audience lean forward, hearts alight, ready to be surprised. POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! offers precisely that spark.

In an age where emerging musicals often struggle to survive beyond initial outings, POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! has managed not just to endure, but to thrive. If you’re a fan of statistics, here’s a little nugget: according to data from the Edinburgh Fringe Society, nearly half of all new musicals staged at the festival don’t see further development or extended runs. For a show to land a prime London venue so soon after its Fringe debut is a testament to the creative team’s talent and the unstoppable force of positive word-of-mouth.

Moreover, audiences have responded to its unabashed celebration of queer themes within a flamboyant historical context. The show invites viewers of all backgrounds to laugh, tap their feet, and reconsider the Renaissance through a very modern lens. It’s the kind of irreverent approach that might prompt you to question the line between historical fidelity and creative licence—but you’ll be laughing too hard to nitpick.

A Look at the Creative Team

Of course, a musical only truly takes flight with the right people steering its course. Joe McNeice, the director, is no stranger to the world of bold theatre. His vision for the show harnesses the comedic rivalry at its core, ensuring the humour never undermines the deeper themes of ambition, artistry, and self-discovery. Meanwhile, the choreography by Sundeep Saini infuses the production with a kinetic flair that supports both comedic moments and stirring emotional beats.

On the musical side, Aron Sood helms the supervision and orchestrations. You’ll find that each note is cleverly placed to punch up the electropop elements while still paying homage to grand musical theatre traditions. Emily Bestow’s costume design is another key ingredient, melding Renaissance silhouettes with modern touches in a way that’s as playful as the script itself. Add Adam King’s lighting design into the mix, and you’ve got a vibrant, ever-shifting tableau that helps carry the audience from cathedrals to clandestine artists’ studios with a single flash of a spotlight.

In show business, assembling a strong creative team can make or break a production. More often than not, truly memorable musicals happen when all facets converge in perfect harmony. Each of these artists brings a distinct perspective, but what’s genuinely special here is how united they seem in crafting a piece that’s not merely comedic fluff but a cheeky, heartfelt ode to ambition and identity.

The Electrifying Score

There’s a moment in the show when a raucous electropop beat kicks in, and Michelangelo belts out an anthem about divine inspiration—or the absence thereof. The track’s hypothetical title might as well be Struck by Lightning, because the energy in the theatre is that electric. While POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! features several high-octane numbers, it also weaves in more reflective songs, exploring the weight of artistic ambition in ballads that practically shimmer.

Musical theatre buffs often appreciate a diverse score, and Dylan MarcAurele delivers exactly that. Think flamboyant pop tunes, comedic patter songs, and the occasional moment of introspective vulnerability. One song that’s been earning early praise is Chiselled Heart, a reflective piece that hints at the deeper yearnings within these towering Renaissance figures. By the time the full cast joins in at the end, it’s the kind of showstopper that will have you humming the refrain well after the curtains close.

Beyond the Surface

Most musicals will tell you upfront that they’re going to entertain. But POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! has a secret weapon: it challenges our modern notions of creativity, pitting one iconic genius against another. We’ve all heard the stories of Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling under papal commission or Leonardo da Vinci unveiling the Mona Lisa to a flabbergasted world. Yet how often do we think about the intangible cost of such greatness? When you see these characters battling for supremacy, you can’t help but wonder if their pride, their personal identities, and their constant struggle for validation mirror our own modern pursuit of recognition.

It’s an angle that might surprise those expecting nothing but comedic spectacle. Yes, you’ll laugh—repeatedly and loudly—but you’ll also walk away reflecting on the delicate balance between genius and madness, tradition and innovation. The show doesn’t pretend to be historically accurate (by Dylan MarcAurele’s own admission, it’s “wildly inaccurate”), yet it captures a timeless truth about the artist’s journey: that burning drive to create something truly unforgettable often clashes with the messy realities of life, love, and identity.

Backstage Buzz and Future Outlook

Insiders in the theatre world have been buzzing about this production’s potential. Over cups of coffee, I’ve heard speculation that POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! might just be the next breakout hit—like those underdog musicals that start in small venues and end up transferring to bigger stages, or even snagging accolades in major awards season. While it’s too early to predict where this show’s journey might take it, the ingredients for a runaway success are all here.

Beyond its creative merits, the production has a robust support system. It’s produced by Blair Russell Productions, with general management by Paul Virides Productions and production management by James Anderton. This strong organisational backbone not only helps ensure the show runs smoothly but also positions it to expand if demand continues to grow.

Standing at the threshold of POP OFF, MICHELANGELO! is like peering at a vivid fresco in progress—its colours bright, its lines bold, and its shapes ever-evolving into something truly special. It’s a show that defies easy categorisation, blending pop culture, Renaissance icons, and queer identity into one glorious, irreverent mix. As a seasoned theatre columnist, I’ve seen my fair share of musicals that promised the moon and delivered a flickering torch. But this one feels genuinely different. It has that raw, undefinable magic that leaves an indelible mark on both stage and audience.

Should you go see it? Absolutely. Expect to laugh, to dance in your seat, and perhaps even to see a bit of yourself in its vibrant characters. Above all, expect to witness something that reminds us why we keep turning up to theatres in the first place: for that spark of innovation and wonder that only live performance can deliver. And when the lights finally come up, you’ll walk away certain of one thing: you’ve just experienced the birth of a legend.