Wales Millennium Centre
No one would blame you for being a little sceptical about a Karate Kid musical. On paper, it’s unquestionably a nostalgia-fuelled cash grab. But on stage, it’s a surprisingly charming delight.
This is a production which is not only faithful to the original, it somehow manages to carve out an identity of its own. The story, following plucky teenager Daniel LaRusso as he learns karate to combat school bullies, doesn’t stray too far away from what we already know. But impressively, the show does take a gamble on original music by Drew Gasparini, which could have so easily been overlooked in favour of crowd-pleasing 1980s jukebox fodder. And it’s here where the production truly stands on its own two feet.
Musically, Gasparini doesn’t apologise for the score’s infectious cheesiness. His compositions are catchy and irresistible, in a Disney Channel Movie Of The Week kind of way – and I totally mean that as a compliment! Keone and Mari Madrid’s choreography fits well with this tone, combining slick boyband aesthetics with genuinely inventive martial arts sequences.
Visually, the production is spectacular. The staging feels genuinely cinematic, with enormous moving set pieces, seamless projections and dynamic lighting. It has the technical scale to play arenas, making its theatrical setting feel even more immersive.
Gino Ochello is an excellent Daniel LaRusso, capturing the character’s complex mix of quiet confidence and underlying vulnerability. Daniel’s transformation from insecure outsider to determined competitor feels entirely believable in his hands. Abigail Amin is equally impressive as Ali Mills, bringing an effortless charisma to the ‘it’ girl, who’d rather not be ‘it’ at all.
But it’s Adrian Pang who delivers a show-stopping performance as Mr Miyagi. He leans into the character’s eccentricities with subtlety and demonstrates impeccable comic timing. His Miyagi also shines in moments of vulnerability, particularly in a devastating scene fuelled by alcohol and grief which I found profoundly moving.
As a Welshman, it would be remiss of me not to give a special mention to Serenar Douch who was spectacular in a small role as Mr Miyagi’s wife. The Welsh star, who donned a flag at the curtain call, was clearly delighted to be performing on home soil, and was graceful and vocally superb in a brief but powerful sequence.
This show is undoubtedly camp, but resists overdoing it to the point of becoming a parody of itself. It’s self-aware, but not smug. And crucially, it honours the original without becoming a bland carbon copy.
Every element here is perfectly balanced. Mr Miyagi would certainly approve.
The Karate Kid Musical is touring the UK throughout 2026. For more information visit: www.thekaratekidthemusicaluk.comÂ