WHEN MIDNIGHT STRIKES to 29th Sept 2007
WHEN MIDNIGHT STRIKES.
Music by Charles Miller, Book and Lyrics by Kevin Hammonds.
Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED to 29th Sept 2007.
Tue-Sat 7:30pm, Mat Sat and Sun 3pm.
Runs 2hrs 30 mins One interval.
Tickets: 08700 600 100.
www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk.
Review: Geoff Ambler 7th September 2007.
Love, betrayal, romances rekindled and cast asunder. Just another gathering of friends at one of the finest New Musicals!.
Set in New York during a Millennium’s Eve party, a collection of “friends” set about enjoying themselves with drink, party games and caustic observations about each other; some lives and some wives fall apart while some guests even manage to enjoy themselves and each other. What is apparent from quite early on is that The Finborough, this cosiest of fringe venues, has staged another highlight of London’s exceptional 2007 musical calendar. Nowadays new musicals are rare beasts, great new musicals, rarer still and even though a few of the songs from When Midnight Strikes will be known by those who have already enjoyed Julie Atherton’s inspiring album of Charles Miller songs “A Girl of Few Words”, sitting amidst this new story with unheard songs and a fine cast and finer comedy is a cherished and exceptional joy.
Under Fenton Gray’s direction the cast of twelve not only fit into a limited stage but never crowd the space, drawing every strand of comedy, hatred, discontent and joy from the script seemingly with ease, while building empathy for Stephanie Flavin’s waspish hostess, Jennifer West. Wai Yin Kwok’s design achieves a feeling of space, allowing Fenton to stage an intimate production without claustrophobic constraints, even allowing space for Musical Director David Randall on stage as the only visible and always enchanting pianist.
Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds music narrates and enlivens their already lively story and flows through the show with verve and vitality as well as frequent introspective passion. Twyla (Emma Hatton) and Bradley (Miles Western) explode into the party with flamboyance and an early scene stealing number We’re Here. It is imbued with immodesty and impertinence and sets the mood of the show and the party.
Being a show set in New York there is obviously an illicit affair supporting the plot, but it never overwhelms the show and it never becomes predictable. Amongst the cast of twelve are twelve great performers each making their mark; Emma Hatton underlines her professional debut with You Know How To Love Me which bypassed my ears, hitting me right in the heart; Murial and Edwards (Nancy Baldwin and Ben Enwright) passionate, wildly hilarious and yet oddly touching strip for Party Conversation left me in tears; and Bradley Clarkson as Alex, an impromptu guest, explores the pains of being excluded in Let Me Inside.
There is so much to delight in When Midnight Strikes with such passion and talent that it can't fail to brighten up Earls Court and the fortunate Finborough audiences. Enjoy!
Jennifer West: Stephanie Flavin.
Christopher West: Nicholas Moorhead.
Josephina: Lorraine Graham.
Zoe: Susan Raasay.
Greg West: Alan Winner.
Nicole: Shona White .
Edward: Ben Enwright.
Rachel: Hannah Lindo .
Bradley: Miles Western .
Twlya: Emma Hatton .
Alex: Bradley Clarkson.
Murial: Nancy Baldwin .
Musical Staging: Norma Atallah.
Musical Direction: David Randall.
Designer: Wai Yin Kwok.
Costume Design: Amy Jackson .
Lighting: Alan Bratton .
Music Production: Martin Fisher .
Director: Fenton Gray.
2007-09-11 10:10:20