RAGS by Charles Strouse, Stephen Schwartz, Joseph Stein. Bridewell Theatre.
London.
RAGS
by Charles Strouse, Stephen Schwartz, Joseph Stein.
Bridewell Theatre To 2 December 2001.
Runs 2hr 25min One interval.
TICKETS 020 7936 3456.
Review Timothy Ramsden 4 November.
Well-characterised music and strong performances in story about Jewish immigrants to 1900s New York.
In the 1900s shiploads of Jewish refugees, fleeing Cossack persecution, docked in New York. They thought they'd reached the land of opportunity; American employers despised them as opportunities for cheap labour. This musical love story finds space to show how some immigrants were radicalised, while others seized on advancement at the cost of principles and identity.
Rebecca befriends young Bella on the boat over, Bella vouching for her friend when her husband doesn't turn up. Starting out as willing sweatshop labour Rebecca meets the political activist Saul. Then husband Nathan arrives home. Only now he's Nat; Nat Harris, all-American, smart-suited and a creature of the boss's political machine.
For an act and three-quarters politics and personal feelings swim hand-in-hand through the music. Then, it's as if someone called time. The tensions in Rebecca's life are swept up in a moment, Bella's disposed of in a fire – a stage effect with no dramatic development – removing the interesting tension between her over-protective family and happy-go-lucky suitor Ben.
Though it etches in detail more than it develops the implications of its characters' stories, Rags has musical riches. Only the 'big theme' Children of the Wind descends to heart-on-sleeve blandness. It's also the song that reduces Sally Ann Triplett to open-armed, anxiety-faced cliché. Elsewhere she offers a fine portrait of hopeful vulnerability, her expressive face occasionally frozen by displeasure.
Alicia Davies' Bella catches youthful belief in the future, while David Bardsley shows the remnants of moral concern under his new go-get American persona. John Levitt's Avram, teacher turned street-trader in the new land of opportunity, gives a striking portrait of grief at Bella's death. Rebecca's son David requires a boy-actor. There are two; I saw Sam Morris, who is excellent.
As are the four members of The Hester Street Band who underpin this enjoyable show.
Rebecca: Sally Ann Triplett.
Bella: Alicia Davies.
Rache: Sue Kelvin.
Anna: Susan Humphris.
Rose/ Mrs Sullivan: Sarah Counsell.
Avram: John Levitt.
Saul: Davor Golub.
Nathan: David Bardsley.
Ben: Jon-Paul Hevey.
Jacob/Bronstein/Big Tim: Gareth Williams.
David: Louis Constantine or Sam Morris.
Chava: Alex Bird or Layla Gillespie.
Director: Matthew White.
Designer: Guy Nicholson.
Lighting: David Howe.
Musical Director: Joe Townsend.
Musical Supervisor: Caroline Humphris.
Musical Staging: Norma Atallah.
2001-11-05 10:08:24