Theatre News

Bridgerton musical created by Tiktok user

Let’s face it, this was sort of inevitable – but the results are pretty listenable

Alex Wood

London

15 January 2021

It's a truth universally acknowledged that Culture Plus Time = Musical Adaptation.

Social media platform TikTok has certainly fuelled this process, with a recent Ratatouille musical, which started its life on the app, amassing a large following and, following a virtual concert, raising almost two million dollars for charity.

So we move onto today's hype. TikToker (we assume that's the term) and singer Abigail Barlow has created a new musical based on Shonda Rhymes' Netflix series Bridgerton – which follows the socially and romantically turbulent lives of a family living in Regency era London.

Bridgerton already has a rocking cast of stage pros (including some musical theatre vets) – as we've laid out in this article. So perhaps the chances of this TV series heading to the stage aren't as far-fetched as you might expect.

Of course – original musicals not based on cult TV series are also really rather excellent and nothing beats the thrill of seeing an entirely new piece of work being brought to life – so be sure to check out a variety of new musicals being streamed across the web. Public Domain, presented via Southwark Playhouse this weekend, was a blast. A variety of shows will also finally be given a lease of life when venues reopen – we've provided a round-up of those here.

Barlow has penned the likes of "Daphne's Song" (following the eldest daughter of the titular Bridgerton family) as well as a duet "Burn For You". Thus far, Barlow's work has had millions of TikTok plays – it really is kicking off.

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We've embedded some of the numbers below.

Update: Cinderella, Heathers and Les Misérables star Carrie Hope Fletcher has provided a rendition of Penelope Featherington's number. The prospect of Abigail Barlow's show coming to the stage is getting all that much weightier. You can watch her performance below.