Girl from the North Country (McPherson, 2017) is a jukebox musical that premiered in 2017 at the Old Vic in London. The musical features songs by Bob Dylan integrated into its score, creating a folk, country, and blues atmosphere. After numerous tours and performances in various venues, including across the pond, the production has returned to the Old Vic for its final run. I had the pleasure of attending the matinee yesterday; however, I found that the show fell short in several aspects, particularly.
Set in Minnesota during the winter of 1934, the story explores characters confronting the consequences of the Great Depression. Narrated by Dr. Walker, who explains his familiarity with the Laine family, owners of a guesthouse, the plot introduces four family members each grappling with personal issues. Nick is cheating on his wife with Mrs. Neilson; Elizabeth suffers from a form of dementia; Gene, a struggling writer, is battling alcohol bingeing; and Marianne, five months pregnant and Black, feels socially isolated from the family. Also at the guesthouse are the Burke family, Mr. Burke, who lost his business during the depression; his son, who has a learning disability; and their struggles to adapt to the new ‘normal.’ The arrival of Bible salesman Marlowe and ex-boxer Joe during a storm sets the events in motion.
If that summary sounds convoluted, you’re right. One of the main disappointments with this production was the lack of character development. With so many characters and storylines, the narrative often feels fragmented which should not be the case as these storylines are genuinely intriguing. While some stories overlap, many are presented as individual scenarios, and none are fully fleshed out. This results in a disconnect between the audience and the characters, as insufficient time is spent exploring their motivations. At times, I wished the show would stop random musical numbers that seem to serve little purpose and instead focus on developing these intriguing storylines.
Regarding the music, Bob Dylan is renowned for his lyricism and has composed some fantastic songs. Separately from the show, the soundtrack features beautiful vocals and compelling compositions. However, within the context of the musical, I felt the songs often did not fit the scenes. Characters sometimes break into song in ways that feel disconnected from the mood or narrative. A particular example that stood out was Elias, the boy with a learning disability, singing the upbeat Duquesne Whistle shortly after his death. This felt jarring and forced, exemplifying how the songs seem inserted rather than naturally integrated into the story.
The Old Vic is a stunning venue that enhances the show’s atmosphere with its beautiful lighting and movement. While I appreciate Dylan’s score, its folk and country influences are well crafted, the songs often seem unsuited within the narrative. I also appreciated McPherson’s attempt to develop complex storylines; however, the show might have benefited from being a straight play, allowing more in-depth exploration of its characters instead of relying on random musical interludes.
Max
References:
The Old Vic (2025) ‘Girl from the North Country’. Available at: https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/girl-from-the-north-country-2025/
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