16/06/2026
Whether you have seen the 1980s cult classic or, like me, you haven’t, at is a great night out.
Daniel LaRusso () moves to California with his mum, Lucille (.sexton), and quickly becomes the target of local bullies.
There are strong performances all around in this production. You would not know Gino was making his debut as Daniel, sending the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. You truly hate Johnny Lawrence, a credit to , as the stories antagonist.
The comedic timing with as Mr Miyagi was an art form in itself. You loved seeing him on stage and the wax on, wax off scene was a firm favourite with the audience.
Matt Mills is a powerhouse in every sense of the word. “Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy” is so commanding that the number has earned a firm place on my playlist going forward.
Elena Breschi was brilliant as Ali Mills, however I would have liked to see her have more of a developed story as she did come across as just a prop for the boys to fight over.
The choreography deserves a huge shout-out. Choreographers Keone and Mari Madrid, along with fight consultant Kev McCurdy, have created scenes that are as intense as they are fluid. Every action is executed with precision, meaning that, despite knowing the fights are not real, I still found my breath catching in my throat a few times.
The staging is visually stunning. I would expect nothing less from Peter Nigrini, whose work has featured in some of my favourite stage shows. The design is simple but effective, from the striking use of red when introducing Cobra Kai to the serene beige tones used in the scenes with Mr Miyagi.
At times, it gives off High School Musical, Grease and Dear Evan Hansen vibes, but with the intense fight sequences those musicals were missing. The first half feels slightly long, and one or two songs could be cut to give more spotlight to the fight training and tournament. Even so, the story is easy to get lost in, making it nostalgic and thoroughly enjoyable.
It’s only at MK Theatre until 20th June, so strike first and grab a ticket while you can.
