Masterful TikTok Jukebox Musical Rocks the Tabard
Susan Stanley-Carroll on a show that will blow your socks off
Who Put the Bomp - 'The most fun, most happy musical'. Picture: Hunter Collins Photography
October 18, 2026
Premiered at the Theatre at the Tabard a few days ago, ‘WHO Put the BOMP (in the Bomp Ba Bomp Ba Bomp)’, the brand-new musical by legendary West End veteran Keith Strachan, will blow your socks off. With its TikTok vibes and modern day take, ‘ Who Put the Bomp? ’ really is one not to miss before it surely takes its jives to other central London locations.
“Bomp” tells the story of Doo Wop music and how this genre was discovered by a fictitious group of London teenagers in 2026. It changes their individual lives and, by gosh, it had a big effect on the mood of the audience watching on premier night: this is the most fun, most happy musical with depth and poignancy that I have seen for many a ‘blue moon’!
Strachan, the Director, writer, and musical arranger, is a legend not only of twentieth and twenty first century in hit West End musicals, but also has been recognised for creating hit tracks such as the 1988 Cliff Richard Christmas number 1 " Mistletoe and Wine ", and the theme music for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
The cast perform a diverse, fast paced disciplined routine of song, dance and dialogue with pounding panache that is as fresh as a meadow of daisies. A piano is their sole backing accompaniment and this is a remarkable feat for a team who only recently met and had a short time to rehearse. I fell instantly in love with each one of them (in, of course, a very motherly/grandmotherly way).
My goodness, three of these talented, charismatic actors left their drama schools this year and here they are making their professional debuts at Theatre at the Tabard. It is a phenomenal achievement by Keith Strachan and his super (inexperienced) cast to produce a show that celebrates the magic of musical creation within the ethos of the TikTok momentum.
Marissa Landy (Miss McTavish) - my, oh my, didn’t we love her as Cousin Hebe in HMS Pinafore - and we love her even more as Miss McTavish the music teacher. Marissa brings a toasty, reassuring warmth, and creates a grounding role as the music teacher who befriends these young wannabes.
Billy Michael plays the tender Billy, the reticent leader of the group. His lead singing of ‘My Prayer’ completely overwhelmed me as the group harmonised into a oneness that was close to ethereal. Billy is making his professional debut in this production and delivers with aplomb.
A tinkling, twinkle zooms from the eyes of Summer (played by Joy Silweya) and it endears her to the audience. However, Summer is no cuddly, cute babe, oh no, she is frothy but, watch it, feisty and oh so, sweetly, manipulative. Summer spreads sunshine but she is determined, one way or another, to encourage the boys to make their distant, initially impossible, dreams come true. Joy also makes her professional debut in this production.
Three of the cast made stunning professional debuts. Picture: Hunter Collins Photography
Joshua Webster, as well as being a powerful dancer and the Dance Captain of the group, is at ease in his role as Cole - a lead protagonist in one of the two moving love stories. Joshua ’ s captivating performance delighted the lively audience on the night I attended.
Aidan Spicer playing Danny is rivetingly tall and elegant; he flowed through a gamut of emotions as Danny, a complex character who gives the plot depth as well as that feel good vibe that many of us crave. He sang lead vocals on several songs including ‘Crying’, ‘Blue Moon’, and the emotional duet with Joshua ‘Let It Be Me’. Oh no! I’m welling up again.
The deepest darkest base voice of Finn Williams (Jack) resonated thrillingly through the auditorium as he sang the mesmerising song Mr. Bass Man. Jack a ‘ badass ’ druggy quietly redeemed himself convincingly. His personal transformation was another happy moment in this must not be missed show for those who love Bomp Ba Bomp Ba Bomp or, like my friend, wants to discover more about it
Keith Strachan’s simple yet eloquent plot flowed seamlessly and beautifully from one Beep Pop song to another. Very much supported by Charlie Stace’s engagingly diverse photographic backdrops that added a realistic dimension to the joyful but, at times, poignant story.
Yes, I will be returning to see ‘Who Put the Bomp?’ I intend to grab three tickets, before they are all sold, and then take, by the scruff of their necks, my teenage grandchildren. Dum Dum Dee Dum Dum Dum Dee Dum. Bomp Ba Bomp Ba Bomp!!
Susan Stanley-Carroll
Who Put the Bomp? plays at the Tabard Theatre Wednesday 14 October to Saturday 7 November. Performance on
Playing Tuesday to Friday at 7.30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 6pm
Ticket prices start from £20.
Running time approximately 2 hours including an interval
Tabard Theatre is at 2 Bath Road, W4 1LW just next to Turnham Green tube station.
Tabard Named as London Pub Theatre of the Year
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