Back to the Future The Musical is a thrilling stage adaptation of the popular 1985 film that featured Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Making its West End debut at the Adelphi Theatre in 2021, the production has obtained multiple awards, including the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. But what is it like to work on the show? We spoke with Orlando Gibbs to learn more.
Orlando Gibbs headshot.
What was it about Back to the Future that made you want to be involved in it as an actor?
I remember seeing the film for the first time and thinking it was really fun. I knew it has been adapted into a musical, but I hadn’t seen it yet. When I saw the show prior to my first audition I was just struck by how slick it was and how well designed it was in every element. I remember finding the stagecraft of it very compelling as well.
It goes without saying that it's wonderful to be in an adaptation of something with such kind of recognisable, iconic things from the film, such as the car, such as all of Marty's recognisable costume and stuff. Even though I had nothing to do with the car and in fact too big to get into it so I would never be able to have a go anyway.
You play the role of George McFly in the West End production of Back to the Future, can you share how you prepared to bring your own perspective on such an iconic character?
I think George’s struggles with fitting in at school feels very universal, especially in terms of whether they feel accepted by their peers can really inform their frailties and their vulnerabilities later on in life. The musical does a good job of shining a light on that. I can relate to those feelings of being stuck and not really knowing what you want from life. I suppose a lot of bringing myself to it is largely trying to identify what the kind of key emotional struggles or I suppose, poignancies are in it and relating them to my own life.
I’m also entrusted with a role with such a beloved IP. People really love the characters in Back to the Future, but it does seem as though audiences get behind George’s character in this show.
Back to the Future has been adapted from the beloved movie. How does this West End production honour that legacy but appeal to new audiences?
I think this musical is a really good example of what adapting preexisting material for a different genre looks like. You have to acknowledge that it's much more brash to take a film and put it on stage because the theatrical performance is just bigger, it has to be bigger because you've got to reach the people. However much you're mic'd, physically you need to show people more or you need to dial up the volume when it would be too much. The music allows for space for the characters' inner monologues in a way that you are able to get from a film.
It’s incredibly exciting to be part of that more dialled-up and heightened relationship between performer and audience, underpinned by such a well-constructed story.
The show is full of special effects and high-energy moments. Which is the most memorable for you and why?
There are lots of illusions in this show that are amazing. One in particular is Doc’s song at the beginning of Act 2. He goes to the back of the stage and is sat on a big chair, then the screen comes down and Doc’s lab set comes on. He’s somehow already there when the lights come up - that’s a very cool illusion!
Also, when you arrive at the theatre, you witness blue lights going into the walls of the auditorium, it’s almost like coursing through the veins of the theatre. The director, John Rando, wanted to immerse the audience in what it would feel like to be in the DeLorean themselves!
There are some fantastic musical numbers in this show. Which one is your favourite?
I really enjoy Doc’s first song, it’s so well put together. It’s interesting, quite unusual because in a musical adaptation of a film, you’d expect all of the key points of exposition still to be in the dialogue. “It Works” is one of the only songs in the show that contains narratively significant information in it. So I find that interesting because it kind of escalates the plot.
If you could time-travel like in the show, what era would you go back to and why?
I think I’d want to go to the last day of the dinosaurs, that would be really cool! I’d get out of there just as I can see the sun being blotted out by the meteor!
Back to the Future The Musical continues to play at the Adelphi Theatre until 12 April 2025.
