Mansplain it to me
There’s one thing exceptional a few present returning to Q Theatre 3 times in a single yr, so I used to be desperate to lastly catch H.R. The Musical on this quick season. As somebody with a decade of expertise within the tech trade, I’ve been formed by the affect of HR — from onboarding and exit interviews to well being and security briefings, efficiency critiques, and group values. I used to be excited for what was in retailer.
H.R. The Musical takes these company quirks and pushes them to comedic extremes: overlaying the gamut of the sexist boss, company jargon, and traditional workplace mansplaining. There are some genuinely charming and intelligent moments with musical highlights that embody a satirical Gregorian chant concerning the subtext of company emails, and catchy numbers like Put Your Global All-Hands on Me and Mansplain It to Me. (I even bought a ‘Mansplain It to Me’ mug after the present.)
The present doesn’t draw back from self-awareness both, declaring, for instance, that these chargeable for range and inclusion typically match a slender demographic. It’s a refreshing contact — however that is the place the magic ends.
While the idea brims with potential, H.R. The Musical falters in execution. Though the present payments itself as a musical it falls wanting assembly the construction and expectations of the style. Even as a musical comedy H.R. The Musical lacks the sharpness of previous Q Theatre highlights, resembling Wild Flutters by Hayley Sproull, or the depth and polish of Heartbreak Hotel. Ultimately, it feels extra like a skit that’s been stretched a bit too far.
The root of the issue appears to lie within the manufacturing’s artistic management. Mansfield’s formidable imaginative and prescient as author, composer, and performer appears to get in the way in which of attaining a cohesive outcome. The manufacturing selections are puzzling. Why are there a number of narrators? Why does the present use so many performers and musicians on stage but depend on backing tracks? These selections create a way of muddle reasonably than cohesion.
A pared-back format — maybe with Mansfield and one different performer in a comedy model paying homage to Two Hearts or Flight of the Conchords — might make the present extra impactful. Less is extra, significantly in fringe comedy, and Mansfield’s expertise might shine with out so many competing parts.
However, if H.R. The Musical genuinely aspires to be a full musical it must respect the structural expectations that include the style. A robust musical balances narrative, character growth, and musical integration. Without a transparent storyline and outlined characters, the present’s message turns into muddled. For occasion, whereas CEO Richard (aka Dick, performed by Mika Austen) gives an entertaining antagonist, the present lacks a central protagonist and a cohesive narrative by way of which the songs can join meaningfully.
For all my critiques, the Rangatira Theatre was packed, and the present concluded with applause (even a number of standing ovations). There’s an plain attraction to H.R. The Musical — it’s a diamond within the tough. I sit up for seeing the way it refines itself and grows, whether or not as a full-scale musical or a pointy, musical comedy.
H.R. The Musical performed at Q Theater 7-8 November 2025
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