Review: Back to the Future Musical at The Lyric, Sydney

Review By Michelle Drinnan 

Hop in, hold on tight, and make sure your flux capacitor is set to fun, because Back to the Future: The Musical is an electrifying journey through time that launches audiences straight into joy from the very first note. Opening night was a whirlwind of energy, laughter, and sheer theatrical delight. This is a show that makes you feel like you’ve gone 88 miles per hour straight into happiness. (note my time travel puns)

Axel Duffy as Marty McFly is a revelation embodying Michael J. Fox in voice, mannerisms, and expression, delivering a performance that is charming, funny, and utterly magnetic. There was times I could squint and think that was a young healthy Michael J Fox with a beautiful singing voice. Roger Bart’s Doc Brown is equally spectacular. While nodding to Christopher Lloyd’s iconic portrayal, Bart infuses the character with his own eccentric brilliance, creating a Doc who feels both familiar and entirely original. He made this role his own and its no wonder he has travelled all the way to Australia to continue the role. Ethan Jones as George McFly is a standout, with impeccable comedic timing that turns every awkward, sweet, or unexpected moment into pure gold.

One of the show’s most delightful surprises is its musical time travel. The score shifts seamlessly depending on the decade, immersing you in the era onscreen: the 1980s songs are perfectly retro, while the 1950s numbers have the slick, infectious energy of Grease or Hairspray. It’s clever, immersive, and keeps the audience spinning happily through different moments in time without ever missing a beat. I appreciated the choreography clearly showing the time as well as the dialogue did. 

And then there’s the technical wizardry. Not often does the tech of a show become a standout, but here, it’s nothing short of breathtaking. From stunning set pieces to creative effects that make time feel like it’s literally bending on stage, the production delivers spectacle that is both thrilling and precise. Without spoiling anything, the ingenuity on display made the ride feel as if we were actually hurtling through space-time ourselves.

Fans of the movie will be over the moon as every joke, every iconic moment, every nod to the original films lands beautifully. If you’re not a die-hard fan, the show still dazzles, although I doubt it will hold its own as a musical. Many of the exciting moments are due to sheer nostalgia and references to the movie. If you didn’t know the movie, so many easter egg moments would be lost. The crowd was clearly full of diehard fans (wait, no, wrong 80s movie) and everyone was swept in the excitement and joy. But the actual soundtrack doesn’t have any phenomenally memorable tunes, and the best music is the songs from the movie such as Johnny Be Good and Power of Love. 

A particularly heartwarming highlight came at the end when the writer of both the films and the musical appeared on stage at the end. It was a wonderful surprise that made the evening feel even more special. This was a reminder that some journeys through time are meant to be shared with those who created them.

In short, Back to the Future: The Musical is a lightning-speed, laugh-out-loud, foot-tapping adventure through time. With unforgettable performances, dazzling technical feats, and a score that perfectly captures each era, it’s a show that proves you don’t need a DeLorean to experience high-octane fun. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer, this musical will have you grinning from past to present, and maybe even a little into the future. Great Scott, what a ride!

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