Anastasia

This was an unknown show to me and how refreshing it was. The whole cast put their heart and soul into the singing, acting and presenting the story and what an outright success it was. Following historically from the 1917 Russian Revolution, the story follows the fortunes of Anastasia, who might or might not be a surviving daughter of the last Tsar, and of two young men who see her as a means to escape from Communist Russia. They prepare her for Paris where she will meet her likely grandmother, The Dowager Empress. The story is full of twists and turns, hope and despair and an unexpected outcome. The young talented cast embraced the whole, musically and dramatically, unfolding events mainly through song. Their singing was true and diction was clear, vital to the audience’s understanding. In the principal role, Eva Waddell enacted an Anastasia who, though perplexed at her early life, had a strong sense of right and wrong and delivered her songs with grace and dignity. Dimitry, convincingly played by Eilidh Arthur, was a powerful character, trying to further their fortunes. Their duets were beautifully sung and voices well matched. Alongside Dimitry as an enthusiastic foil, was Vlad, his partner in intrigue. Freya Brodie engaged with this role delivering lines aptly and with splendid timing and humour as ready audience laughter so proved. Another successful role was Imogen McKay as the Russian soldier Gleb, the ‘baddie’ of the piece, serious and determined with a maintained military bearing, and a threat to Anastasia and her fellow escapees from communism. In supporting roles, Susanna Strang conveyed the imperious yet lonely Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorovna; Freya McIntosh impressed as Maria’s Lady in Waiting Lily, graceful dancer and friend; and Fern Waddell presented innocence as the young Anastasia.

The choreography and singing of the chorus came across naturally, catching in turn the elitism of Russian society, the poverty of the ordinary people and the elegance of the Parisians. And costumes and make up reflected these divides. Their singing caught the rhythms of Russian music, the harmonies of the poor and the verve of Paris. The dancers claimed attention as they too caught the mannerisms of the times. This was a well staged production with enough scenery to pinpoint place and era and with props so pivotal like the precious box. The show just flowed. Although I was not familiar with the songs, the tenderness and harmonies in Once Upon December, the hope in Paris Holds the Key and the determination in Everything to Win, won us all over. Congratulations to all.

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