Next to Normal is not merely a musical – it is a raw, shattering exploration of grief, mental illness, and the fragile framework of family. Captured on film with devastating clarity at Wyndham’s Theatre, this West End production, directed for the screen by Michael Longhurst and Austin Shaw, is a landmark piece of theatrical cinematography. Originally a Broadway triumph that won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards, this new screen adaptation continues the show’s legacy of emotional resonance and thematic boldness.
The story centres on Diana Goodman, a mother haunted by trauma, spiralling through bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, prescription drugs, and electroconvulsive therapy. As she unravels, her family clings to the wreckage, trying, and often failing, to stay afloat. Calling it an emotional rollercoaster doesn’t quite capture the tone: there are few highs. Instead, the show sustains an almost unrelenting emotional weight, one that mirrors the lived experience of psychological illness and grief. The occasional moments of levity, and some are genuinely comedic, offer welcome relief, but are fleeting.
Among the cast, every performer commits wholly to the harrowing demands of the piece, but it is Eleanor Worthington-Cox as Natalie, the teenage daughter, who delivers a truly astonishing performance. To embody such raw vulnerability and despair night after night, often with tears streaming down her face, is a feat that borders on the superhuman. Worthington-Cox also manages to land the rare moments of dark humour, displaying a remarkable emotional range.
The filming itself elevates the production to another level. The camera captures the intimacy and agony of the performances, from tight close-ups of strained expressions to jarring imagery, such as a child’s toy floating in blood on the kitchen floor, that viscerally enhances the stagecraft. The blend of theatrical and cinematic techniques draws viewers deeply into the action, making it feel almost like a live, immersive experience.
The set is minimal, relying on a rotating floor and subtle shifts to convey the fragmented world of the Goodman family. The power here lies not in elaborate scenery but in the ferocity of the rock-infused score and the emotional stamina of the actors. Longhurst and Shaw’s camera finds a new dimension in the live performance, including poignant views of the musicians positioned above the stage. Each instrumentalist is showcased in individual boxes, giving the score a physical presence that underlines its emotional weight.
This filmed production is more than just a recording; it’s a vital artistic document. It preserves not only the performance but also the psychological and emotional intensity of the story. It’s a searing, compassionate, and unflinching portrayal of loss, illness, and endurance – essential viewing for those who understand its themes intimately, and a necessary eye-opener for those fortunate enough not to.
Next to Normal is theatre at its most vulnerable, music at its most expressive, and filmmaking at its most empathetic.
Review by Bernadette Lintunen
Nominated for 4 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, the critically acclaimed, sold-out Donmar Warehouse production of Next to Normal played a West End season at Wyndham’s Theatre from 18 June – 21 September 2024.
Next to Normal is an intimate exploration of family and illness, loss and grief. At its heart is Diana Goodman (Caissie Levy in an Olivier Award-nominated performance), a suburban wife and mother living with bipolar disorder and haunted by her past.
Directed by Michael Longhurst
Directed for the Screen by Michael Longhurst and Austin Shaw
Produced by David Stone, Aaron Glick, Austin Shaw
Music by Tom Kitt
Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Starring Cassie Levy, Jamie Parker, Jack Wolfe, Eleanor Worthington-Cox
NEXT TO NORMAL
In selected cinemas from 11 September 2025
