TONIGHT - LOLA BLAU. To 30 January.

London

TONIGHT - LOLA BLAU
by Georg Keisler Literal translation by Jennifer Reischel English version by Don White

New End Theatre To 30 January 2005
Tue-Sat 7.45pm Sat & Sun 3.30pm no performance 15 January
Runs 1hr 15min No interval

TICKETS: 0870 033 2733
Review: Timothy Ramsden 12 January

Politically-charged festival of song.It may reek of Cabaret but Georg Keisler's 1971 piece is definitely an Austrian show, a journey home for the title singer and a guilt-trip for the nation. Appearing at Klub Simpl after 21 years abroad Lola returns a heroine; she left in 1938, a refugee. As the Oh What A Lovely War!-like statistics scrolling on the eerily smoky screens above her head prove, thirty-eight was the year for Jews to leave Austria as Hitler marched triumphantly in from Germany.

Without her quick exit it would have been Goodnight Lola Blau in Nazi Austria. Her lover didn't make it, leaving an aching gap, to be filled by alcohol and sex as Lola navigates forties Hollywood's celluloid meat-market.

Anti-semitism's active in the US as she sinks into musical prostitution, offering whatever vocal style producers demand; no wonder when she pastiches the Berlin bombshell her Marlene's an angrily furious growl.

Keisler's point (updated with reference to modern Austrian right-wingers) is that anti-semitism didn't enter the country on the heels of Nazi jackboots. Post-war surveys showed swathes of anti-Jewish Austrian opinion freely expressed. In 2005, substitute asylum-seekers' for Jews' and it becomes clear more than one country's infected by fear and prejudice and when it comes to expropriation of land, try inserting Palestinian' for Jew'. There's no-room for complacency.

Keisler seems undecided between charting highways of history and ambling along byways of the singer's solo experience. If this jars his focus there's more than enough in his score to keep attention engaged; never mere generic pastiche it finds melodic invention within the cabaret world it inhabits, incorporating nostalgic and angry references to older Vienna for the latter, try the distorted Strauss melodies in Bruce O' Neil's tireless piano accompaniment.

Trained singer Morag McLaren's voice is unsurprisingly strong and rich-toned. Her mix of vocal power and restraint suggests a star's relaxed intensity. Songs ring true in their varied mix of sadness, regret, scorn or humour. Spoken lines aren't numerous but they're always convincing and the dance-steps have the precision and authority of the cabaret idol Lola self-evidently was. New End's starting the new year in fine style.

Lola Blau: Morag McLaren

Director: Mark Tinkler
Designer: Annabel Lee
Lighting: Adam Carree
Musical Director/Arranger: Bruce O'Neil
Choreographer: Glen Snowden

2005-01-15 00:14:50