The Pianist – Park Theatre, Finsbury Park
★★★★★
An outstanding, deeply moving and beautifully crafted musical that celebrates the power of music to survive even the darkest of times.
Thursday’s performance of The Pianist at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park was truly outstanding. This London world premiere brings to the stage the extraordinary true story of Władysław Szpilman, the Polish-Jewish pianist and composer whose fight for survival during the Holocaust became the inspiration for his celebrated memoir and the acclaimed film of the same name.
Adapted and directed by multi-award-winning Thom Southerland, best known for Titanic the Musical, this production is a remarkable achievement. Rather than relying on elaborate scenery or spectacular effects, it uses simple but highly effective staging, allowing the extraordinary story, the music and the performances to take centre stage. The result is intimate, compelling and emotionally powerful.
One of the most impressive aspects of the production is its exceptionally talented ensemble of 11 actor-musicians, who between them portray more than 50 characters. Every performer is an actor, musician and singer, and the ease with which they move between these roles is remarkable. Daniel Krikler is compelling as Szpilman, conveying both the vulnerability of a man caught in unimaginable circumstances and the determination of an artist clinging to life through his music. The supporting cast, including TJ Holmes and Rosalind Ford as his parents, Oliver Grant as Hosenfeld, and Nitai Levi, Melania Maggiore, Elżbieta Kalicka, Mischa Jardine, Max Roll, Oliver Magor and Erin Rowlatt, work together seamlessly to bring the many characters and changing circumstances to life.
The live music is at the very heart of this production, and it is here that The Pianist becomes something particularly special. For the first time outside Poland, Szpilman’s original compositions are used to score his own story live on stage. Often described as the “Polish Gershwin”, Szpilman was a gifted composer whose music becomes much more than an accompaniment to the action. It acts as a voice of its own, expressing emotions that words alone cannot convey: hope, longing, loss, memory and, ultimately, survival.
The musical arrangements by Simon Lee, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-time Musical Director, are beautifully realised. New lyrics, created by an international team including Szpilman’s son Andreas Szpilman, two-time Grammy nominee Carol Connors, David Batteau, Wendy Lands, Jim Gillard, Michael Ruff and Marcy Heisler, help transform this intensely personal story into a moving piece of musical theatre. The combination of original compositions, singing and dramatic storytelling feels both natural and deeply affecting.
What makes the production so powerful is its understanding that music is not simply something beautiful to be enjoyed; it can also be an act of defiance, a means of preserving
identity and a lifeline when everything else has been taken away. Against the horror and brutality of the Holocaust, Szpilman’s music represents the enduring strength of human creativity and the determination to live. The show is, in many ways, a love letter to culture and a reminder that art can survive even when humanity itself seems at its most cruel.
The small-scale staging only adds to the emotional intensity. With such a versatile cast and live music woven into the action, the audience is drawn directly into Szpilman’s world. There is no need for grand theatrical spectacle when the story itself is so extraordinary and the performances so convincing. The simplicity allows the emotional truth of the piece to shine through, making its most poignant moments all the more affecting.
Knowing that this is a true story makes the experience even more moving. It is a story of unimaginable suffering, but also of resilience, courage and the extraordinary power of music to sustain the human spirit.
The impact on the audience was unmistakable. As the story reached its conclusion, there were visible tears around the theatre, and the performance was rewarded with a well-deserved standing ovation. I was left speechless for some time afterwards, so deeply had the production affected me. It is rare for a piece of theatre to leave such a lasting impression, but The Pianist does precisely that. The emotion in the room was a powerful testament to the cast’s extraordinary performances and the enduring humanity at the heart of this story.
The Pianist is a testament to what can be achieved through imagination, exceptional musicianship and thoughtful direction. Thom Southerland and his talented company have created a production that is intimate in scale but immense in emotional impact.
An outstanding piece of musical theatre: moving, memorable and highly recommended.
Show Details:
Playing until 28th November 2026
Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park N43JP. 020 7870 6876
Evenings 19.30. Thu & Sat 15.00
Duration: 130 minutes inc interval
Tickets: £20 - £75
Genre: Musicals Age guidance 11+
Content warning: Contains sensitive themes and historical events including the Holocaust.
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