THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA to 23rd May 2009.
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel. Book By Craig Lucas.
Curve Theatre, Rutland Street Leicester to 23 May 2009.
Tue to Sat 7:30pm, Matinees Wed and Sat 2:15pm.
Runs 2hr 20mins. One interval.
TICKETS: 0116 242 3595.
Review: Geoff Ambler 5 May.
Guettel's vacation in Florence comes to life in Leicester.
It is Florence 1953 and the Curve’s vast stage fills with towering arches and statues; tourists stroll by and leaves blow in, seemingly on a breeze, and Adam Guettel’s melodies catch you unaware and quickly draw you into a fascinating tale of love and Clara and Fabrizio. The Curve’s European premier delights from the moment Clara and her mother Margaret wander into the Piazza with Statues and Stones, a soaring song full of Sondheimesque joys and Guettel’s own peculiar brilliance; a brilliance that enlivens every scene, every song, every moment.
Light in the Piazza is thoroughly engaging, a show to revel in, which for an evening, wrapped me up in the lives of a couple of American tourists and an Italian family; magnificent scenery, that surely will never fit in a West End theatre, slides on a glossy glass stage that enhances Guiseppe di Iorio’s lighting, conjuring silhouettes and shadows; Florence comes to life in a Midlands city centre, recreated by George Souglides and populated by a cast of endless delights in the Piazza.
An always sparkling Caroline Sheen brings an exciting innocence, boundless energy and a voice that fills the theatre and lifts your heart to Clara, a girl who revels in life and discovers love. Lucy Schaufer, is Margaret Johnson, compassionate, passionate and funny; completely enchanting as Clara’s over protective mother and utterly magnificent with Fabrizio’s father, Signor Naccarelli (Graham Bickley) in their romantic duet Let’s Walk. Matt Rawle’s Fabrizio is a joy as the youthful Italian captivated by Clara; a subtly brilliant performance.
The Light in the Piazza is Adam Guettel on the grandest scale. The extravagant luxury of the Curve, a serious cast, each imbued with an exceptional musical and theatrical appreciation and the rich, lively sounds of the orchestra, all combine and the result is a musical full of wonder, one that feels like a warm embrace and a reason to make haste to Leicester’s Curve.
Clara Johnson: Caroline Sheen.
Margaret Johnson: Lucy Schaufer.
Franca Naccarelli: Eliza Lumley.
Giuseppe Naccarelli: George Couyas.
Signor Naccarelli: Graham Bickley.
Fabrizio Naccarelli: Matt Rawle.
Signora Naccarelli: Jasna Ivir.
Roy Johnson: Charles Daish.
Priest: Garth Bardsley.
People of Florence : Alison Guill, Jon-Paul Hevey, Aoife Nally, Helen Reuben, Jez Unwin, Sally Whitehead, Bernd Windhofer.
Director: Paul Kerryson.
Designer: George Souglides.
Lighting: Giuseppe di Iorio.
Sound: Paul Groothuis.
Musical Director: Julian Kelly.
2009-05-08 15:04:23