A KARAOKE WEDDING. To 21 April.
London
A KARAOKE WEDDING
music and lyrics by Harry Blake book by John Hilton
Union Theatre, 204 Union Street. London SE1 To 21 April 2007
Tue-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat 3pm
Runs 2hr 10min One interval
Tickets: 0207 261 9876
www.uniontheatre.org
Review: Geoff Ambler 11 April 2007
Not all karaoke is bad, as an evening at the Union will prove.
This new Union production owes a lot to the nearby Young Vic’s assistance. It amply justifies such support with an energetic and humour-filled, if cynical, view of marriage in the noughties, showing the preparation and “execution” of Bernadette’s (“It’s MY special Day”) wedding to put-upon fiancé Dave. Dave has won this wedding in a radio-station competition, which he did not know Bernadette had entered on his behalf. But he soon finds himself proposed to and facing impending nuptials.
The show is broken up by documentary-style talking-head views on marriage from two married couples, one seemingly perfect the other in their ruby wedding year. These sound bites on the foibles of marriage are unerringly funny; Suzy Harvey’s cynical and suffering perfect wife deserves special praise and a quick divorce.
The cast deliver an energetic, thoroughly enjoyable show. Alice Keedwell and Russell Morton play the pivotal nearly/newly weds. Bernadette’s frequent remonstrations about how important the day is to her and “Is everyone looking at me” overshadows Dave after his opening proposal.
At times these two take a back seat to exceptional performances from Leanne Jones as long-suffering singleton sister Clara and Jamie Richards as Chas, Dave’s best mate/man. Both live up to their rounded, well-written and developed characters. Clara particularly has an unfair share of the best songs. Dave and Chas enjoy an unconventional break-up scene when Chas is asked to move out of the house they shared with Lara Croft on the Playstation. His final plea “What about level nine?” goes unanswered.
Nicola Seeking-Smith proves an effervescent and effective cliché as the Chief Bridesmaid eager to receive all the privileges that are due to her, particularly the Best Man, or at least the best man.
However, the modern marriage expectations take centre stage. At a time when re-marriage rates are announced as making up two in five of all weddings in 2005, is the special day so relevant now? Especially with an average estimate of £16,500 for the “once in a lifetime” one-day event. This is the crux of the show. Along with a singing vicar and an inflatable doll.
Bernadette: Alice Keedwell
Bridesmaid/ Shoop: Chameli Meir
Bridesmaid/ Shoop: Mitra Etminani
Chas: Jamie Richards
Clara: Leanne Jones
Clint: Simon Ryerson
Dave: Russell Morton
Father O’Loughlin: Stephen Glover
Gloria: Pearl Marsland
Hen: Rachel Branton
Perfect Couple/Ruby Couple: Adam Lea
Perfect Couple: Suzy Harvey
Ruby Couple: Fiona Whitelaw
Stag: Nigel Williams
Stella/ Shoop: Nicola Seeking-Smith
Director/ Choreograpery: Gabby Vautier
Music, Lyrics and Musical Director: Harry Blake
2007-04-16 01:07:51