The casting for this show is spot on. Adrian Pang as Mr Miyagi plays the role spectacularly. He is the serene, calming character who shapes teenager Daniel LaRusso into the man he becomes. There is plenty of moments of humour, with funny dialogue or actions that entertains throughout. He is a guiding light and father figure to Daniel who arrives in a new city and tries to navigate new relationships and rivalries. Gino Ochello plays the role of Daniel and it marks his professional stage debut. He is definitely going to be one to watch with such an impressive performance and vocal ability. Sharon Sexton plays his mother, Lucille LaRusso, a widow raising a teenage boy looking for her new chapter in life. Having seen Sexton in the last touring production of Bat Out of Hell The Musical I knew she could sing, but there was something about her incredible voice, especially during her solo number in act 2 that reached into my soul and soothed it! Just perfect. Matt Mills as the regimented and ruthless owner of Cobra Kai, John Kreese also thoroughly impressed with his strong vocals.

The staging by Derek McLane is very true to the very nature of the film and its core, the martial art form of karate. There were a few clunky scene transitions with sliding parts not moving seamlessly which was a shame. The choreography by Associate Choreographer Francis Florendo also centred around karate movements and is the heavy influence throughout each routine.