The Corniest Musical Around
Ready for a corny, award-winning musical? Then grab your cowboy boots and head to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre—Shucked is now open!
Told through two joyous and comedic storytellers (Steven Webb and Monique Ashe-Palmer), Shucked spins the tale of Cob County, where Maizy (Sophie McShera) and Beau (Ben Joyce) are about to tie the knot—until disaster strikes and the town’s corn suddenly dies. Determined to save her home, Maizy defies the wishes of the townsfolk and ventures out to find help.
She returns from Tampa with Gordy (Matthew Seadon-Young), a mysterious outsider whose intentions immediately raise suspicion—especially from her no-nonsense cousin Lulu (Georgina Onuorah). What follows is a hilarious and heartfelt story full of small-town charm, big musical moments, and more corn puns than you thought possible.
There’s no denying the comedy in this show—the corn innuendos are relentless. As a fan of dry dad jokes, the humour was right up my alley. A particular highlight was Peanut (Keith Ramsay), whose recurring gag of sharing unsolicited, hilariously offbeat thoughts brought consistent laughs thanks to his pitch-perfect deadpan delivery.
Georgina Onuorah as Lulu was a clear standout, delivering the show-stopping "Independently Owned" with powerhouse vocals, sass, and total conviction. The applause began before the song had even ended and continued long after. Ben Joyce also made a strong impression as Beau, especially during his heartfelt ballad "Somebody Will." Though those two numbers stand out, the score overall doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression—most of the music blends together and lacks memorability.
The use of the two storytellers occasionally leans into the territory of a clingy children’s TV format, adding a layer of distance that makes some of the storytelling feel overly explained rather than organically shown. However, a clever twist at the end redeems their presence and ties things together neatly. Steven Webb, in particular, is always a delight, bringing warmth, energy, and cheeky charm that lights up the stage.
The setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre couldn’t be more fitting. Walking through the maze of gardens to reach the theatre and sitting amongst the trees with birdsong overhead makes you feel like you’re in Cob County yourself. Just don’t forget your hayfever tablets and an extra layer for the evening chill.
It’s the perfect way to spend a spring evening in the park—definitely worth a visit for fans of country comedy and quirky storytelling. That said, I did leave wondering: did we really need a whole musical about corn?
★★★.5
Book your tickets here
