RELEASE THE BEAT till 21 August
London
Release the Beat A New Musical
Book by Judith Johnson
Music & Lyrics by Karl Lewkowicz
At the Arcola Theatre, 27 Arcola Street, London, E8 2DJ
23 July 21 August 04
2 hours, including one interval 20 minutes
Review: Peter Kinsey 25 July 2004
Box Office: 020 7503 1646
Musical Theatre meets House and Hip Hop in a vibrant and energetic mix
In 1994, composer Karl Lewkowicz saw a performance of Fiddler on the Roof at the London Palladium, then went into Piccadilly for a night of clubbing. These two influences emerge 10 years later in Release the Beat, where (echoes of Fiddler) he has married the traditional form of book musical with the sounds of FM and Clubland. His matchmaking divides the honours fairly equally, with new sounds for the big ensemble moments, while intimate numbers, bring to mind the reflective style of Sondheim, or even Weill.
But Clubland is not the subject of this piece. Judith Johnson's book uses it as a backdrop for the story of Simone, coming of age, with her friends, in this world of rival DJs, their supporters (Heat and Tang posses) and the record promotion business. Moving from the darker world of London clubs to the sunshine of Ibiza, the pressures of vinyl eventually release the beat and knotty relationships are happily resolved. Perhaps, in too schmaltzy a manner for a modern musical, but then in this new mixture, tradition can justifiably win out.
Book, Music and Lyrics are well served by a talented cast, dancing with vigour and precision, singing skilfully and sensitively with each other, noticeably in counterpoint numbers, like the quintet, Facing Up.
From the very first note, we are drawn in immediately by the relaxed, faintly sinister, assurance of Golda Rosheuvel as Lady Luck, the pill-pushing clubland MC. The four friends are well contrasted: Rosalind James, fragile and uncertain as Simone, Aml Ammeen, angry as Winston, comically undercut by the cheekiness of Zabrina Norry as Dionne and the white bro characterisation of Pieter Lawman. This comedy is further compounded by the double act of posse leaders Mikey and Markey (Tosin Olomowewe and Dean Elliott). The older generation are not to be outdone: there is dry comic playing from Pete Gallagher as Jay, Simone's dad; cool serenity from Nina Kristofferson as Queen B, his ex-wife; sassy directness, from Natalie Wright as Nina, his current lover, given full rein in her exasperated solo, Perfect Relationship.
All were solidly supported by the band: Kate Young (Musical Director), taking over successfully at very short notice, Al Macaulay (Percussion) and Jimmy Martinez (bass).
Directed by Mehmet Ergen, choreographed by Mykal Rand, designed by Anthony Lamble, and lit by Giuseppe di lorio, this is a summer show, so if you can't go for your holidays to Ibiza (or another hot place!), go to the Arcola Theatre and enjoy the fun.
Cast
Lady Luck: Golda Rosheuvel
Simone: Rosalind James
Dionne: Zabrina Norry
Winston: Aml Ameen
Tom: Pieter Lawman
Jay: Peter Gallagher
Nina: Natalie Wright
Queen B: Nina Kristofferson
Mikey: Tosin Olomowewe
Marky: Dean Elliott
Heat Posse: Stacie Laine
Monica McShane
Elif Can Pirhasan
Jacqui Lee Pryce
Tang Posse: Ece Dizdar
William El-Gardi
Davinder Heyre
Kali Nicholson
Gus Stenberg
Production Team
Director: Mehmet Ergen
Musical Director: Kate young
Choreographer: Mykal Rand
Designer: Anthony Lamble
Co-Designer: Jeremy Daker
Lighting Designer; Giuseppe di lorio
Sound Designer: Julien Chabert
Stage Manager: Secil Honeywill
Assistant Director: Serdar Bilis
Assistant Musical Director: Cigdem Erken
Design Assistants: Sadie Tikbury
Will Bok
Assistant Sound Designer: Alan Taylor
Assistant Stage Manager: Emily Engler
Production Assistant: Guliz Gilbert
Publicity Design: Aladin Scott
Press& Publicity: Dan Pursey
2004-07-29 08:20:57