Review of 'Biff to the Future'

★★★★

There’s something rather perfect about watching a gloriously daft, nostalgia-soaked parody inside Wilton's Music Hall – all creaky wood, faded grandeur and a palpable sense of theatrical history. Tucked away down a cobbled alley in Whitechapel, Wilton’s is one of the oldest surviving music halls in the world, and still one of our favourite venues for exactly this sort of inventive, slightly anarchic theatre.

Biff To The Future brings that same playful chaos, flipping the Back to the Future trilogy on its head and telling the story from the perspective of its most gloriously obnoxious antagonist. Created and performed by Joseph Maudsley, it’s a knowingly ridiculous premise – but one that’s delivered with real affection for the source material.

Joseph Maudsley as Biff Photo credit Rod Penn

Maudsley throws himself wholeheartedly into the role, ricocheting between characters, timelines and increasingly absurd scenarios with infectious enthusiasm. He genuinely seems to be having as much fun as the audience, which makes it very easy to go along for the ride. A standout element is the way he interacts with the show’s sound design, hitting cues with razor-sharp timing and turning what could be background effects into part of the comedy itself. The offstage technician (Jac Cooper) becomes an unseen comic partner, with perfectly judged stings and effects that Maudsley plays off brilliantly, creating a rhythm that feels almost like a double act.

Directed by Daniel Clarkson, the show sits firmly in the comic tradition he’s known for. Clarkson, best recognised for co-creating the Potted series (Potted Potter, Potted Pirates, Potted Sherlock and Potted Panto), brings that same fast-paced, irreverent style here – quick changes, low-fi props and plenty of knowing winks to the audience.

It definitely helps to have seen the Back to the Future films – without that grounding, you might find yourself a little mystified by the whirlwind of references. For fans, though, there’s a real joy in spotting how iconic moments are twisted, skewed and affectionately sent up.

Audience participation is woven throughout, and on the night we went it was an absolute highlight. One particularly committed air guitarist delivered a performance that was nothing short of inspired, briefly threatening to steal the show. As ever, we were extremely happy not to be picked on – but it all adds to the anything-can-happen energy that makes the evening feel so alive.

Following its UK tour, the show heads to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, running from 6–30 August at Assembly George Square Gardens – a perfect fit for its high-energy, crowd-pleasing style.

Before that, the tour continues across the UK and Ireland, including dates in Chichester, Watford and Tunbridge Wells, before concluding at Gaiety Theatre on 3 May. Tickets are available via venue box offices or the official website .

Playful, nostalgic and gleefully inventive, this is a four-star crowd-pleaser that knows exactly what it is – and leans into it with charm and confidence.

On at Wilton's until 25th April. Tickets here

Address: Graces Alley, London, E1 8JB

Website: Biff To The Future