Is the Book of Mormon suitable for a 14 year-old?
I was in two minds whether or not to take my daughters, aged 14 and 16, to see The Book of Mormon. Having viewed a rather obscene but extremely funny video on YouTube of the song Hasa Diga Eebowai, a parody of The Lion King song Hakuna Matata but with the more crude translation of ‘F*** You God’, I was concerned whether or not the show would be appropriate.
After much deliberation and debate with my wife we eventually decided to take them, and boy did they enjoy it! The swearing is frequent and so too sexual references, but all in context and it isn’t simply a way of getting a cheap laugh with gratuitous obscene language, it is a genuinely funny show and a brilliant musical as well.
Here is my 14-year olds review:
The Book of Mormon review by Tilly Peterson (aged 14)
The Book of Mormon is written by the famous authors of South Park and the composer of Avenue Q. The comedy is about two young Mormon missionaries travelling to Africa trying to spread the word of their religion.
The opening is very promising with a catchy upbeat song displaying all the excited missionaries. You can instantly understand the different yet humorous personalities of all the hopeful young missionaries.
The contrast between Elder Price and Elder Cunningham (the two mismatched missionary men the story is based on) is different not only through their physical appearance but also through their ambitions. Elder Price is a slick, smart young man, in contrast Elder Cunningham is a short, plump, jolly individual. Elder Price is very excited about his mission; he’s waited his whole life to serve Jesus Christ. He is the strong, determined, energetic leader.
On the other hand Elder Cunningham isn’t as ambitious as his missionary brother, he has never really been good at anything, all he wants is a friend. He is a very awkward character, his facial mannerisms and body gestures are very quirky and humorous. Everything he does makes you laugh.
I thoroughly enjoyed the energy and excitement of the show, however some of the jokes could be classed as inappropriate as it includes sexual content and a lot of bad language. It is not a show that you want to bring your small children to or your elderly relatives. Although some of the things they do or say are rude it is in the spirit of fun and joy. It doesn’t feel cynical it almost feels uplifting.
Elder Price wanted to travel to Orlando for his mission and much to his disappointment he was assigned to go to Africa with this annoying, dorky figure Elder Cunningham. When they arrive in Uganda they discover that this town is suffering with poverty and aids. How far will the two hopeful missionaries be prepared to go to convert this collapsed society into Mormon?
To get tickets for The Book of Mormon musical at the Prince of Wales theatre click here
