OUR HOUSE; till 21 June (Bham Rep) then touring till 25 Oct (possible further dates)
OUR HOUSE: Book by Tim Firth; Music and Lyrics by Madness.
Birmingham Rep, Main House.
Tkts: 0121 236 4455, www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval, till 21 June ( Bham Rep) then touring (see below) till 25 October - further dates may follow).
Review: Rod Dungate, 3 June 2008.
However you feel when you go in, you’ll feel better when you come out.
If you go and see OUR HOUSE (which you really should) look out in particular for the performance of Steve Brookstein, Gwyneth Strong, Chris Carswell, Miria Parvin, Jack Shalloo, Michael Everest, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Sophia Nomvete, Sam Mackay, Steven Serlin, Lauren Appleby, Chloe Campbell, Craig Daniel Adams, Robert Foley, Tamsin Laverick, Michael Melmoe, Chris Overton, Leyla Pellegrini, Ellie Robertson, Warren Sollars, Will Stokes and Mark Willshire. Yes, you’ve got it; the real star of this show is the company.
The team creates a show underpinned my high energy and humour; the natural vitality of rock, the energy of Madness sustain this show that never stops from minute 1 to minute 150 (except for the interval that is.)
Music Theatre can tell big stories – this one’s the story of Joe Casey and his journey from 16 year old into adulthood. But working in incredibly broad brush-strokes it tells two stories – and runs them in parallel. It examines the possible choices Joe makes and looks at his ‘good’ life with all its hardships and challenges and at his ‘bad’ life with all its money. We can keep track of which Joe we’re looking at through a witty costume use of black and white and the theme of choices and journeys is wittily reflected in a host of moving, disembodied doors – costume and set design by Rob Howell.
Joe Casey is played by Chris Carswell giving his professional debut performance. He imbues the character with great naturalness, naiveté and charm, and has a strong singing voice. I question the wisdom, though, of starting the show in a key which seems too low for him to sing in with comfort; is the key gear-change later in the opening number really worth this uncomfortable start?
Miria Parvin plays a sparky and delightful Sarah, Joe’s girl friend. The couple’s duet in the second half – IT MUST BE LOVE – is beautiful, their voices merging perfectly.
Sam Mackay plays villainous Reecey. His musical theatre skills are awesome – his acting when singing and dancing is so sharp it’ll cut you and his dancing is quite thrillingly exhausting to watch.
Jack Shalloo and Michael Everest, and Jenny Fitzpatrick and Sophia Nomvete create two wonderfully comic duos Lewis and Emmo, and Billie and Angie.
And my favourite moments? DRIVING IN MY CAR – it’s in the staging - and the final Reprises. Matthew Warchus has directed with a sure hand to create this make-you-feel-young-again show, and where would we be without the assured skills of choreographer Peter Darling?
See it and feel good.
Joe Casey: Chris Carswell.
Sarah: Miria Parvin
Joe’s Dad: Steve Brookstein.
Kath Casey: Gwyneth Strong
Lewis: Jack Shalloo.
Emmo: Michael Everest.
Billie: Jenny Fitzpatrick.
Angie: Sophia Nomvete.
Reecey: Sam Mackay.
Mr Pressman: Steven Serlin.
Sing/ Assistant Dance Captain: Lauren Appleby.
Ensemble: Chloe Campbell
Ensemble: Craig Daniel Adams.
Swing / Dance Captain: Robert Foley.
Ensemble: Tamsin Laverick.
Ensemble: Michael Melmoe.
Ensemble: Chris Overton.
Ensemble: Leyla Pellegrini.
Ensemble: Ellie Robertson.
Ensemble: Warren Sollars.
Ensemble: Will Stokes.
Ensemble: Mark Willshire.
Director: Matthew Warchus.
Choreography: Peter Darling.
Set and Costume Designer: Rob Howell.
Musical Supervisor: Phil Bateman.
Lighting Designer: David Howe.
Projection Design: Jon Driscoll.
Sound Designer: Simon Baker.
Orchestrator: Steve Sidwell.
Illusions and Costume Effects: Paul Kieve.
Associate Director: Ruth Carney.
Associate Choreographer: Lynne Page.
Associate Designer: Colin Falconer.
Associate Costume Designer: Irene Bohan.
Casting: James Orange.
Assistant Choreographer: Lizzi Gee.
Touring Details so far confirmed are:
Regents Theatre Stoke-On-Trent (23 – 28 June).
Theatre Royal Glasgow (30 June – 5 July).
Edinburgh Playhouse (7 – 12 July).
Churchill Theatre Bromley (14 – 19 July).
Bradford Alhambra (21 – 26 July).
Milton Keynes Theatre (1 – 6 September).
Wimbledon Theatre (8 – 13 September).
The Lowry Salford (15 – 20 September).
Lyceum Sheffield (22 – 27 September).
Sunderland Empire (29 September – 4 October).
The Mayflower Southampton (20 – 25 October).
Further dates my be announced.
2008-06-04 18:03:14