MAKE ME A SONG, THE MUSIC OF WILLIAM FINN to 6 April.
London.
MAKE ME A SONG: THE MUSIC OF WILLIAM FINN
conceived by RRob Ruggiero.
New Players Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street London WC2N 6NG To 6 Apri 2008.
Tue-Sun 7.30pm Mat Sat & Sun 3.00pm. No matineeSunday 30 March Special Gala Sunday 30 March at 7.30pm
Runs 2hrs One interval.
TICKETS: 08444 771 000.
www.newplayerstheatre.com
Review: Geoff Ambler 6 March 2008.
Side by Side by Finn - A must see musical revue.
Make Me A Song presents some of the highlights from the thirty years William Finn has been writing musicals. Peculiarly American musicals it would seem, notably the Tony award winning Falsettos, Falsettoland and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Getting off to a slow start with some nice if uninspiring Finn introductions it takes 'Dictionary' and 'I’m Not That Smart' from Frances Ruffelle and Ian H Watkins to kick the show into action and from then it rarely slows down. Out of context Finn’s numbers could struggle but Andrew McBean and his experienced and vastly talented cast pour energy and emotion into every song. Louise Dearman’s last ballad 'Anytime' soars with passion and loss and displays Finn’s complete understanding of the musical. Why London doesn’t see more of him is a wonder but Spelling Bee, based on the evidence from this anthology, has gone straight to the top of my must-see list.
In a company of such quality, with so many great songs, it should have been harder to steal the show with one number but Frances Ruffelle’s 'Stupid Things I Won’t Do' managed it and seemingly seduced the whole audience, well at least to row M and one lucky fellow in Row A.
Nestled under Charing Cross’ rail arches the New Players Theatre rumbles with lives rattling past on rails, while below, William Finn's skewed, acerbic and always insightful musical views of life and lives, fills the arches. When his music hits the spot it rattles the soul and seriously tickles the funny bone.
Performers: Louise Dearman, Frances Ruffelle, Gareth Snook, Simon Thomas, Sally Ann Triplett, Ian H Watkins.
Director: Andrew MacBean.
Designer/Lighting/Video: Ben M Rogers.
Sound: Gareth Owen for Orbital Sound.
Musical Director: Matthew Brind.
Costume: Claire Bilyard.
2008-03-10 01:56:09