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The Karate Kid – The Musical Kicks Into Milton Keynes Theatre This Week
The iconic 80s movie comes to the stage: The Karate Kid - The Musical, based on the original Columbia Pictures motion picture written by Robert Mark Kamen, arrives at Milton Keynes
Theatre from Tue 16 – Sat 20 Jun.
Producers Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore, Kenny Wax, Michael Wolk, Jack Lane and Leo Stages present the UK premiere production of THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL. Based on the smash hit Columbia Pictures motion picture, this new stage adaptation features a book by Robert Mark Kamen, screenwriter of the original 1984 film that launched a 40-year global franchise, andmusic and lyrics by Drew Gasparini. The production will embark on a UK tour from April 2026, including a run at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 16 – Sat 20 Jun, before heading to Toronto from September, where it will make its Canadian premiere.
Nyla Bower FCMI saw this Tuesday Night
Karate Kid – The Musical Review
“The Karate Kid – The Musical” brings a nostalgic classic to the stage, but what really stands out is how immersive and well thought through the whole production is.
The staging is innovative and genuinely engaging, which isn’t a surprise when you consider the team behind it. Tony Award winning group including Derek McLane (scenic), Ayako Maeda (costume), Bradley King (lighting), Kai Harada (sound), and Peter Nigrini (projection), have pulled together something that really works. Everything feels cohesive and purposeful, and the team have done a really good job at bringing the world of Daniel LaRusso to life.
The lead cast are strong across both characterisation and vocals, but there has to be a special mention for Matt Mills as John Kreese. The surprise is in his ability to hold the audience attention with his presence and incredible vocals. His performance across the whole show was an absolute stand out.
The Cobra Kai ensemble is excellent. The Cobra Kai dojo scenes are some of the most powerful in the show, they’re intense, disciplined and bring a real sense of edge and excitement that the story needs.
Lighting also plays a key role throughout. It’s used in an impactful way to shape scenes and shift the tone and bring you into different aspects of Daniel LaRusso’s story.
Amon Miyamoto’s direction is clear in every part of the production. The purposefulness of the acting, the movement across the stage, the staging itself and the pace of the show all work together to create a strong overall experience. One of the best choices is how the dancers are used. Rather than filling space, they’re an integral part of the storytelling and there is real attention to how they move, their posture, and how that reflects traditional karate discipline, which adds another layer to the performance.
Overall, this is a production that feels considered, energetic and immersive.
A must-see.
Adrian Pang will lead the company as Mr. Miyagi, with Gino Ochello as Daniel LaRusso, Abigail Amin as Ali Mills, Joe Simmons as Johnny Lawrence, Matt Mills as John Kreese, Sharon Sexton as Lucille LaRusso, and Finley Oliver as Freddie Fernandez.
The ensemble includes Ambra Caserotti, Johndeep More, Ria Tanaka, Elena Breschi, Aden Dzuda, Elliott Evans, El Haq Latief, Isaac J Lewis, Emily Rose-Davis, Aaron Archer, Dylan Blake-Colbet, Serenar Douch, Esme Rothero and Sok-Ho Trinh. Adrian Pang is an acclaimed Singaporean performer whose extensive stage career spans the UK and Asia. Credits include the title roles in Hamlet and Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, The Grand Babylon Hotel, The Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple and The God of Carnage. In 2024 he portrayed Ying Ruocheng
in the world premiere of Salesman in China at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, later reprising the role at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
Gino Ochello, a Gibraltar-born performer and singer makes his professional stage debut as Daniel LaRusso. Abigail Amin a recent Arts Ed graduate, recently completed filming James Graham's feature film Ink directed by Danny Boyle. Joe Simmons also recently graduated from ArtsEd, with
credits including Cruel Intentions (UK Tour) and Pippin (West End).
Matt Mills' theatre credits include MJ the Musical (West End), Dreamgirls (UK Tour), Tina - The Tina Turner Musical (West End), Motown the Musical (UK Tour) and Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (UK Tour). Sharon Sexton is an award-winning Irish West End performer, best known for originating the role of Sloane in Jim Steinman's Bat Out of Hell: The Musical in the West End and internationally. Her extensive UK theatre credits include Donna in Mamma Mia! (international tour), A Night with Janis Joplin (Peacock Theatre), The Liza Minnelli Story (Edinburgh Fringe/UK Tour) and the original cast of The Commitments (West End). She has performed widely in concert, including performances at the Royal Albert Hall and with the RTÉ National Concert Orchestra.
The original 1984 film, The Karate Kid, starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita asMr Miyagi was a global box office success and critical triumph, earning Morita an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The story fast became a cultural phenomenon, launching a
major global franchise that has included three movie sequels, a 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan and the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018- 2025). Most recently, Karate Kid: Legends starring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio was released in cinemas in 2025.
THE KARATE KID - THE MUSICAL received its world premiere at STAGES St. Louis, USA in 2022, playing to sold-out houses and critical acclaim.
Honouring the roots of the timeless story, this new musical celebrates resilience, mentorship, and the quiet strength that bridges generations.
Daniel is the new kid in town trying to fit in until he becomes the target of Cobra Kai's relentless star student, Johnny. Underestimated and outmatched, Daniel struggles to find his footing, until Ali, Johnny's ex, sees something in Daniel that no one else does. As Johnny refuses to step aside, teenage rivalry turns into something more sinister. Daniel discovers guidance from Mr. Miyagi who teaches him that karate isn't about fighting, it's about balance, respect and that the greatest victories are won from within.
Featuring a Tony Award®-winning design team and an electrifying new score, this coming-of-age masterpiece is reimagined for the stage with stunning artistry and ground-breaking choreography. Written by Robert Mark Kamen with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, THE KARATE KID - THЕ MUSICAL is directed by Amon Miyamoto, with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid, scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Ayako Maeda, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by Peter Nigrini, wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman, orchestrations by John Clancy, music supervisor and arrangements by Andrew Resnick. Produced by Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore, Kenny Wax, Michael Wolk, Jack Lane, and Leo Stages.
Tickets are on sale now and are available at http://ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes