RENT by Jonathan Larson. Tours till December 8th
RENT, Jonathan Larson
Touring: till December 8th, info www.rentontour.com
Runs: 2 ¾ hours, one interval
Review: Rod Dungate, 23rd August 2001, Leicester Haymarket
Pulsating music, high energy - emotional pulses run high
Pulsating music, high energy, terrific voices and youthful openness take
you on a journey with New York misfits, drop-outs and people with AIDS in this
touring production of Jonathan Larson's hit musical RENT.
RENT shows us a group of friends living in an ex-industrial attic. They are
due to be evicted when, spurred on by a protest performance one Christmas
Eve, riots ensue. We see the group fall apart, come together again and win
their eviction battle.
Larson's musical contrasts the hardship of life for this perceived group of
losers with the hypocrisy of a country celebrating its most important Christian
festival. As the group of friends fight their fights they find space to fall in love,
so finding themselves. While the play may wear its heart on its sleeve (and
why does the gay transvestite have to be the victim?!) the essential contrasts
are real, poignant and give the show a tight dramatic spine.
Larson's music is strong, its rhythms ensure that emotional pulses run
high. RENT is an ensemble show and there are wonderful ensemble moments.
The Act One closer, VIVA LA VIE BOHEME is not to be missed: with witty
choreography (Mykal Rand) the moment is rightly well received.
Adam Rickitt plays film-maker, Mark, with a boy-next door innocence and
charm. Wendy Mae Brown is production manager Joanne: she has a rich,
powerful voice. Brown's Act Two duet with Lucy Williamson (protest
performer, Maureen, and Joanne's lover) is one of the second half's high
spots. Damien Flood and Debbie Kurup, Roger and Mimi, are electric. One a
musician looking to write his hit song, the other a prostitute, both with AIDS.
These two have the most passionate of all the passionate voices. In their first
half duet, as she sings 'take me tonight' and he replies 'the fire's out', there is
an intimacy that makes for explosive drama: the result is sheer, absolute,
theatrical magic.
Cast:
Roger Davis: Damien Flood
Mark Cohen: Adam Rickitt
Tom Collins: Mykal Rand
Benjamin Coffin III: Jason Pennycooke
Joanne Jefferson: Wendy Mae Brown
Angel Dumott Schunard: Neil Couperthwaite
Mimi Marquez: Debbie Kurup
Maureen Johnson: Lucy Williamson
Mrs Cohen and Others: Jane Doyle
Mr Jefferson, The Man, Pastor and Others: Michael Smith-Stewart
Paul and Others: Delroy Atkinson
Steve, Squeegeeman, Waiter and Others: Tom Kanavan
Gordon, Mr Grey, Seasons Boy and Others: Zeph
Alexi Darling, Mrs Davis and Others: Helen York
Swings: Ayd-Dele Ajana, Daniel Boys, Lee Waterworth
Director: Paul Kerryson
Set Designer: Kentaur
Costume Designer: Andrew Edwards
Choreographer: Mykal Rand
Lighting: Chris Ellis
Sound: Mark Thompson
Musical Director: Gareth Howard
2001-08-24 09:51:29