Despite some criticisms of its tone and staging, the production remains a powerful piece of theatre that audiences are encouraged to experience before it closes.

Standout performances include Justina Kehinde as Marianne, Sifiso Mazibuko as Joe Scott, and Katie Brayben as Elizabeth, with Brayben’s haunting singing and Kehinde’s portrayal of a woman with dementia resonating deeply.

The revival features a cast of 20 actors and musicians, directed by McPherson, who also brings a fresh perspective to this emotionally charged story.

Musical director Alan Berry leads a four-piece band with actor-musicians, creating arrangements that evoke the feel of a Dylan concert, with stylistic variations throughout.

Set against a backdrop of social issues in 1934 Duluth, Minnesota, the story involves multiple plots and characters facing personal struggles, with many finding the experience uplifting despite its bleak themes.

The story centers around a run-down boarding house owned by Nick Laine, where residents grapple with issues like financial hardship, dementia, alcoholism, and unplanned pregnancy.

Despite its heavy themes, 'Girl from the North Country' offers a profound and truthful portrayal of life that leaves a lasting impression on viewers.

The show aims to attract a wider audience, especially following the release of the Dylan biopic 'A Complete Unknown,' and marks a return to the Old Vic after a successful 2017 run.

The musical 'Girl from the North Country,' created by Conor McPherson and based on Bob Dylan's songs, is currently running at London's Old Vic Theatre until August 23, 2025, in a limited engagement.

The musical emphasizes Dylan's complex lyrics, which often serve more to set mood than to drive a straightforward narrative, making it a play with songs that enhance the emotional atmosphere.

The production features dark humor over gravitas and a less evocative sense of time and place compared to the original, highlighted by notable performances like Brayben’s singing and Kehinde’s acting.

Bob Dylan's songs reflect the characters' inner emotional worlds, with moments like the duet 'I Want You' emphasizing this connection.

The musical explores themes such as poverty, desperation, and the American Dream in the 1930s, set to Dylan’s music and written by Conor McPherson.