'AMERICAN IDIOT' REVIEW: EDINBURGH

And unlike the vast majority of lame jukebox musicals which theatre-goers have increasingly had to suffer over the last decade, where hits are rounded up and cynically shoe-horned into rambling, nonsensical and intelligence-insulting non-plots, American Idiot! has been adapted directly from a concept album – Green Day’s ambitious effort to create a rock opera in the grand tradition of Tommy and Quadrophenia – which certainly lends some coherence to proceedings; lyrics, melody and tone couple with the storyline, resulting in an infinitely more believable and likeable 
outcome.

They haven’t skimped on the wow factor either, with multi-level staging, stylish set-pieces and intricate wire work all contributing to what amounts to an unusually lavish touring production. Perhaps most importantly, there’s been no unnecessary attempt to mess around with the familiar songs. Performed live on stage by the band (who look suspiciously like Green Day) with some help from the actors, the score remains largely true to the original – with some allowable exceptions as circumstance dictates.

Full review at Edinburgh Evening News: HERE