ASSASSINS to 2nd February 2008.
ASSASSINS to 2nd February 2008
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by John Weidman
Landor Theatre, 70, Landor Road SW9 9PH.
Tue-Sat 7:30 Mat 27th Jan 3pm.
Runs 1hr 50mins No interval.
TICKETS: 020 7737 7276.
www.assassinslondon.com
Review: Geoff Ambler 24 January 2008.
Mad Americans and Dead Presidents never looked so good.
Not one of Sondheim’s most melodious of musicals but one of his latest and also one peculiarly focussed on certain notorious and lesser known Americans, which makes Assassins an unexpectedly enjoyable and thoroughly compelling show for this South London oasis of theatre, The Landor.
Sondheim’s ode to this non-democratic past time that is President assassination (frequently failed but always remembered) is remarkably light hearted, particularly when introducing Fords failed hit women who, if his research is correct and I would never doubt the master of the musical, deserve their own show. Set in the black walled room of a student “Balladeer” played by Nathan Kiley, we are introduced to a succession of life’s failures, notable for sharing one interesting and surprisingly common belief - that assassinating a president will answer all their problems. Rarely revolutionary, frequently mundane reasons are offered by a faction believing themselves struck so low that their only recourse is to strike the highest authority. The American dream, turned American nightmare, turned American Musical.
A fascinating collection of young and talented bedeck the Landor stage, sporting pistols and various American accents with Christopher Ragland's John Wilkes Booth, commanding throughout the show; alongside Jeff Nicholson’s Charles Guiteau, obviously mad yet possibly the most sane of the Assassins and marvellously desirous of becoming the US Ambassador to France; Jenni Bowden’s materialistic serial bride, Sarah Jane Moore is a wonder and her portrayal of the worst assassin in history is unending joy. Our protagonists use group therapy on Lee Harvey Oswald to bring about the ending and another reminder of the bleakness, the blackness which surrounds these lives.
Sondheim’s show hits all the right notes with Everybody’s Got The Right and the full cast delight with this stirring number. Director Ben Carrick and his team have created a lively, funny, yet dark production that encourages debate, instils curiosity and inspires as only Sondheim can and while it is too soon over, is another reason to get off the beaten track and discover more real musical theatre.
John Wilkes Booth: Christopher Ragland.
Charles Guiteau: Jeff Nicholson.
Leon Czolgosz: Sebastian Palka.
Giuseppe Zangara: Alex Browne.
Samuel Beck: Kris Webb.
Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme: April Small.
Sara Jane Moore: Jenni Bowden.
John Hinckley: Graham Weaver.
Lee Harvey Oswald: Tim Jackling.
Balladeer: Nathan Kiley.
Proprieter/Emma Goldman: Kirsten Parks.
Ensemble/Billy: Claire McGarahan.
Ensemble: Claire Daly.
Ensemble: Langley Brandon.
Director: Ben Carrick.
Music Director/Orchestrations: Richard Bates.
Assistant Director/Choreographer: Racky Plews.
Production Designer: Ben Pickering.
Lighting Designer: Helena Pemberton.
Sound Designer: Natasha Bonner.
Stage Manger: Hanna Osmolska.
2008-01-28 09:34:07