Imaginary

First presented in 2017 by The National Youth Music Theatre at The Other Palace in London, Imaginary centres on an enduring friendship. It is an exciting, funny and uplifting musical about the wonder of childhood, the power of the imagination and what it means to grow up. The story is engaging, the songs are catchy and, on occasion, the lyrics are very funny. 

Chaotic, open-hearted and imaginative Milo is Sam’s only friend and they spend all their time together, using only their imaginations to transform their world into a place of adventure and excitement. But as Sam’s first day at a new school approaches, his mother worries that Milo is holding her son back, stopping him from growing up. School turns out to be full of surprises– and secrets. Can Sam and Milo’s friendship survive in this new world, where a painful revelation threatens to change their lives forever?

The Burgess Hall is not an easy venue as there is little or no wing space.  It was a good idea therefore to use the floor as well as the fore-stage for the majority of the scenes which gave plenty of space for the large cast to perform.  Lighting was managed as well as it could have been and hats off to the follow spot operators who did a great job especially keeping track of Sam running round and round during one of his songs.  Costumes were good and I loved the imaginative colourfulness of those for the IFs.  I know from what I have been told over the years that controlling body mics is not an easy task but they are necessary particularly with young actors so it is a shame when we don't get the first few lines of dialogue or lyrics. 

The music for the show is quite challenging but the young singers coped well.  The Ensemble work particularly was of a good standard which I am sure their Vocal Coach Nellie Coss was proud of.  Solo vocal talent varied but all soloists were confident.  I particularly enjoyed Orla Hilton as Beth, Sam’s mother, beautifully singing ‘The Last Days of Summer’ and ‘All The Fun You Had’.  The ten-piece band under the baton of Band MD Stephen Denham were good but perhaps overloud when there were only one or two singers.  Jo Ellis’ Choreography was pitched just right for the mixed abilities of the cast who certainly did full justice to ‘Oogie Boogie Woogie’.

There was a tendency to rush dialogue which I am sure was mentioned by your Director during rehearsals. An audience only hears your performance once so they need to be able to understand the dialogue you have taken the trouble to learn. Therefore it is important you speak slowly and clearly. That comment aside, it was nice to see some very confident performances from the principal players. Matthew Giles as Sam and Charlie Stewart as Milo were both excellent and totally believable as friends. I much enjoyed their ‘Adventurers’ Code’ song. Tegan Csepecz Strong lived up to her last name as Sam’s schoolfriend Alice and Justin Ramsbottom truly revelled in the role of The Headmaster.  Excellent support too came from Mali James who was first-class as Brenda, Afija James as Oogie and “The Teachers” Elise Davis, James Rowbotham, Maja Kurkiewicz and Josh Wain. I laughed out loud at ‘Those Were The Days’, where the teachers sing about the halcyon days of corporal punishment in schools.  All those in minor roles also gave good accounts of themselves.

Imaginary is a musical for young people about the wonder of childhood, the power of the imagination and what it means to grow up but there is much to be had from the show by adults too.  Underlying this fun musical however is just a smidgen of unpleasantness where an attempt is made (by their educator) to quash the children's imagination. Let us hope this stays just where it is - in the writers’ imagination.

Thank you SIYT for introducing me to this lively show which is certainly one I am sure I will see performed by other youth groups in the future. Congratulations to Director Sam Burke, the Cast and the excellent SIYT support team.

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