On a warm spring evening in the al fresco splendour of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, I was transported into the wacky and whimsical world of Shucked, the Tony Award-winning musical making its UK premiere. Full of folksy charm and good-natured humour, this production is laugh-out-loud funny and, on occasions, unexpectedly sweet and heartfelt. Directed with flair by Jack O’Brien and featuring a sharp-witted book by Robert Horn, along with vibrant music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, the show is corny in every sense of the word. Yet beneath its playful surface lies a heart-warming story of community, resilience and the joy of staying true to your roots, making for an entertaining and feel-good evening.
Set in the fictional town of Cob County, Shucked follows a small farming community whose lives and economy revolve around corn. When their beloved crop mysteriously begins to fail, determined local girl Maizy (played with great charisma by Sophie McShera) ventures beyond her hometown in search of a solution. She encounters con-man Gordy, (Mathew Seadon-Young), who is masquerading as a “corn doctor” treating clients’ feet. Mistaking him for a genuine agricultural expert, Maizy brings him back to help save their dying crop.
As you might guess, this isn’t a high-concept, highbrow or even remotely subtle plot and Shucked is all the better for it. What follows is a riotous tale of small-town innocence, romantic entanglements, misunderstandings and a torrent of puns, wordplay, and one-liners. It’s the kind of humour that could easily wear thin, but here it’s delivered with such speed, confidence and knowing absurdity that you can’t help but laugh.
Sophie McShera‘s Maizy is the centre of the narrative and she beautifully captures the resolve and wide-eyed innocence of her character. Ben Joyce, as Beau, delivers a performance full of earnest charm and powerful vocals However, it’s Georgina Onuorah‘s portrayal of Maizy’s cousin Lulu that really stands out. Her rendition of the song Independently Owned is a powerhouse moment, blending vocal prowess with commanding stage presence produced the loudest applause of the evening. Meanwhile, Keith Ramsay’s Peanut keeps the laughs coming with his quirky energy and spot-on comic timing which endeared him to the audience.
Monique Ashe-Palmer and Steven Webb, as the two storytellers, deftly hold the show together, narrating the action and playing a variety of characters. Their interplay with each other and the rest of the cast is a delight, with Webb, in particular, delivering an impressively energetic, charismatic, and humorous performance.
Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally‘s clever songs are rooted in country music and blended with the flair of traditional musical theatre. The lyrics are sharp and witty, perfectly matching the show’s playful, absurd tone. The result is a score that’s full of foot-tapping energy but also delivers surprising moments of emotional depth.
The open-air setting of Regent’s Park perfectly complements Scott Pask‘s set design, which skilfully uses rustic elements to capture the simplicity of Cob County. The occasional bird flying past the stage or the wind rustling through the trees around the theatre add to the outdoor country vibe.
Many West End plays take themselves quite seriously but Shucked definitely isn’t one of them. Its plot is every bit as ‘corny’ as its jokes, but if you’re willing to lean into the silliness, there’s a lot to enjoy. In keeping with the spirit of the show’s humour, I could say Shucked is an a-maize-ing cornucopia of fun that will leave you with a smile as wide as a cornfield.
Need to Know: Shucked plays at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 14 June 2025
