Told through an innovative new genre of ‘Audio Musical’ (think full-scale West End show in radio drama format) HATCHED! is a story of empowerment, liberation and equality.

Set on a mythical island, where all the characters are birds, we follow Fallon and her flightless friends as they set out to change the rules and demand equal rights for female birds. It references the fight of the suffragettes as well as more contemporary intersectional feminists. HATCHED! has been recorded by a West End cast and is being released for free to help make musical theatre accessible to all. 

Now, this isn't quite true yet as the podcast style means there are inherently some access provisions missing, but this is easily rectified and I look forward to seeing these changes implemented as the show progresses! 

The narrative dives into the tension between personal morals and traditional family values, nestling societal expectations within the whimsical world of Raffa. Lydia Shaw’s script, although a bit heavy on exposition, especially in the opening monologue, compensates by ensuring listeners are well-oriented in this bird-brained universe. While occasionally clunky, this over-explanation ensures no detail is missed as the audience remains devoid of visual cues like costumes or props.

One of the highlights is the narrator Sophia Lewis, whose voice acting is egg-cellent. Her audiobook-like tone adds a layer of polish and professionalism, making the listening experience even smoother. The lack of audio description around set and blocking means that our imaginations can take flight, but this does still seem like a missed opportunity. Including this feature would not only enhance the recordings but also prepare it for a potential stage adaptation.

The sound quality is impeccable, with clarity that exceeded all expectations - credit here to Auburn Jam Music. It's refreshing to hear every note and pun clearly, especially as some are really LOL worthy, adding a delightful layer of humour that keeps the tone light as a feather.

While "HATCHED!" flutters between fun and simply childish, particularly with its rhyming interjections, it remains enjoyable. The alliterative names are a clever touch, making it easier to keep track of characters when we can't use their faces to do so as usual! The storyline might be predictable, but that doesn’t detract from its charm. Think of it as a Starkid lovechild of the films Rio and Moana, with musical influences from Fantastically Great Women and Once On This Island.

Marketed as family-friendly, "HATCHED!" indeed fits the bill but leans more towards younger audiences. The division into short episodes is a smart move, catering to smaller attention spans and making the nearly three-hour total runtime more digestible.

The songs (composed by Edward Court) are catchy, with some real bops that will stick with you long after you finish listening. Despite some room for improvement, this is a brilliant step forward in the world of audio musicals. It's definitely worth a perch on your playlist!

You can find out all about HATCHED! here HOME | Hatched! | New Musical (hatchedmusical.co.uk)

Review written by Katie Anna McConnell

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