Smart Casual: a five star musical performance from Oxford University students

Created by GOYA Theatre in collaboration with the North Wall Arts Centre, this well-written and smartly executed musical is written, directed and performed by students at the University of Oxford.

In just under two hours, the performance captures beautifully the journey of six friends who have recently graduated, trying to find their feet over the course of 18 months, and exploring their life through sex, class and loneliness.

Each character is relatable and will resonate with today’s audience, leaving you trying to place the characters as one of your friends.

Mel (played by Darcy Dixon) is the heart of the group, Jordan (played by Jamie Murphy) looks arrogant but is just trying to fit in, Ben (played by Henry Waddon) loves hoodies way too much, Lily (played by Ellie Cooper) is driven and successful, Marc (played by William Foxton) is funny and over-the-top and Willow (played by Grace De Souza) wants to travel the world.

The musical captures the intricacies of generation Z; especially the loneliness in a comical yet tragic fashion, with each cast member doing a fantastic job in making you invest in their character’s story.

The music score is catchy and well performed, with each song adding to the story.

Writer and director Sam Woof said: “The songs are an intrinsic part of the piece, moving the story forwards and allowing for glimpses of the inner workings of the characters and their psychologies.

“The score draws heavily on jazz and pop, which coupled with a classical approach have created a sound that is both accessible and ambitious.

“I would like to thank the wonderful team at The North Wall, the production team of Theatre GOYA, and the phenomenal cast and band, for bringing Smart Casual: A New Musical to life this summer.”

Guaranteed to make you laugh, I would definitely recommend checking this musical out with your friends.