Review! Rope Drop, the Unofficial Disney Comedy, The Other Palace, Sept 26

A little weekend theatre took me along to The Other Palace Studio, where two of my greatest loves collided: musical theatre and Disney. And when, in the latter half of 2026, being a Disney adult seems to have acquired something of a negative reputation, what better way to embrace the label, poke fun at it, and celebrate it all at once than through musical theatre?

Rope Drop, the Unofficial Disney Comedy is penned by Jordan Li-Smith and Ayesha Patel, who, by the way, are not Disney adults. At least, that’s what they’d have us believe. Who are they kidding?

The pair have one goal for their day in the Disney Parks, whichever park that may be: to have the perfect park day. And, as any seasoned Disney-goer will know, achieving that is far easier said than done.

This show was a delight from start to finish and, while billed as a comedy, I never expected it to evoke quite the level of emotion that it did, particularly during Act Two. This is a production where the story intertwines with the real-life friendship of its writers, who clearly share a wonderful bond and appeared to be having the absolute best time on stage. Their animated teasing as they debated which park to visit, which land to explore and even which attraction to choose was a particular delight.

If you have ever regularly visited a Disney park, you will recognise so many of the little details, from the unspoken rule to “always go left” to the familiar experience of standing in a queue and willing it to move. These moments felt incredibly true to the Disney park experience and were so relatable that the jokes landed especially well with our very much “ears-on” audience.

There was even a touch of DisneyBounding on stage, with Ayesha Patel’s outfit immediately reminiscent of Belle, adding another lovely layer of Disney magic to the production. It was these small, recognisable details that made the show feel so personal and ensured that those of us familiar with the parks felt completely in on the joke.

The musical arrangement and orchestration by Li-Smith was another highlight, particularly the clever arrangements of familiar Disney songs, which I absolutely adored. ‘It’s a Small World’, made famous by the Sherman Brothers, is perhaps one of those songs that has earned its reputation as the ultimate earworm — a tune that people either love or would rather never hear again. Yet here, it was transformed into something unexpectedly beautiful.

Each performance of the show this weekend featured special guest appearances, and for the performance I attended, that meant Henry Calvert and Esme Bowdler. Together, they brought an absolutely joyous and wonderfully chaotic dose of Disney entertainment to the stage. It was clear that they were having an absolute blast, and that energy was infectious.

I particularly loved Bowdler’s rendition of ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’. There was something wonderfully wicked about her performance, and I have to say, there is definitely an Ursula lurking in there somewhere!

With the vital message at its heart — ‘There’s so much that we share, that it’s time we’re aware’ — the song took on an entirely new meaning. What could easily have been a familiar, almost comical Disney tune became a genuinely moving moment. Who knew ‘It’s a Small World’ could be turned into such a touching ballad?

Amidst all the comedy, however, there was also plenty of heart. The production carries some important messages about the idea that, despite what others may think, Disney Parks are not just for children — they are for everyone. Adults are allowed to dream too, to embrace the things that bring them joy, and to immerse themselves in the worlds that make them feel welcomed, safe and happy.

I would absolutely love to see where this show takes Jordan Li-Smith and Ayesha Patel. This is a production whose journey I am one hundred percent invested in, and I cannot wait to see where their own perfect park day takes them next.

Oh, and in case it wasn’t obvious, Jordan and Ayesha absolutely ARE Disney adults… and so am I!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

https://www.jordanli-smith.com/rope-drop-the-unofficial-disney-parks-comedy