Miscast

Miscast, based on an idea conceived by the MCC Theater on Broadway with their “Miscast Gala”, gives people the chance to take on roles that they have always wanted to perform but would never be cast in. Conventional expectations and gender roles are forgotten, the performer’s age is unimportant and familiar narratives are reimagined. The results can be amusing and amazing and can also shine a different light on familiar songs and reveal unexpected meanings.

The atmospheric set (by the talented Caroline Moloney) was simple and designed to look like a New York Speakeasy with brick walls, posters, and neon signs. Steps and doors on either side, allowed a variety of entrances and exits, making the most of the small stage area. It added to the atmosphere and our anticipation that we had to walk across the set to get to our seats. Very few props were required – it was all left to the actors and our imaginations. Costumes (Jennie English and Tammy English) were simple too, mainly black tops and trousers but with hints of costume for the leads in each number, cleverly focussing our attention.

This was Director Conner Handstock’s first show for Players, but what a talented cast he has chosen who all seemed to blend well together, supporting each other and making this very much an ensemble piece. Conner and Choreographer Abby Daniels have honed the cast perfectly to make a slick and pacey production, full of movement and interest, filling the entire stage. Musical Director Louise Helyer has worked similar magic on their singing to produce West-End worthy performances, which the excellent quality soundtracks complimented nicely. Sound quality was superb, as I’ve come to expect from Seventh Wave, and Trevor Blofeld’s intelligent lighting completed a beautiful picture.

Dario Davies-Recchia acted as the MC for the show, very much in “Cabaret” mode, with an enchanting costume. He was totally at ease interacting with a live audience, charming everyone. I thought I’d note down a few standout performances to comment on, but when I’d finished my list, I found I’d included the whole show, so I’m going to have to mention them all!

The Ensemble got us off to a great start with “Hard Knock Life”; Dario, Blake, Jenny, Madison, Paula and Ella enchanted us with “Poor Unfortunate Souls”; Katie and Ella delighted us with “The Room Where It Happens”; and Megan and Madison’s performance of Sondheim’s “Agony” was captivating. Charlie’s “She Used to be Mine” was so powerful; Euan, Blake and Josiah teased us delightfully with “Mein Herr”, and Aimee’s rendition of “Mr Cellophane” was by far the best I’ve seen. The boys really rocked us with “Six”; Sheila made “Bring Him Home” utterly heartbreaking, and Georgie’s singing in “Why God, Why” was West-End standard. Charlie and Ellie Y stunned us with the role-reversed “Phantom of the Opera”, and Megan made “You’ll Be Back” so good I forgot that I hated Hamilton when I saw it! Finally, before the interval, the ensemble’s “One Day More” left us on a high wanting more, lots more.

After catching our breath, we were treated to some excellent tap by Beth, Katie and the Tappers to “Expressing Yourself”, Dario, Archie and Blake proved that men could be just as hard-hitting as women with “Candy Store” while Ellie Y and Josiah really tugged at our heartstrings with “Quiet”. Jenny, Aimee, Ella and Ellie T performed the Jersey Boys medley to perfection; Madison gave great feeling to “Waving Through a Window”, while Jenny, Ella and Ellie T made “Wall in My Head” so emotional. The boys, led by Ben, made “I Feel Pretty”, set in a gym, laugh-out-loud funny, it worked so well. Ellie Y told a great story with “Santa Fe” and seeing grown adults performing “So Long, Farewell” was a wonderful touch. The whole show finished very appropriately with “Give A Little Love” which includes the line “We could have been anything we wanted to be” – it was what the whole evening was about after all.

I missed out one number in those lists because it deserves a special mention: “On My Own” was sung so gently and touchingly by Archie and Ben, who accompanied themselves on guitars. It was a revelation. Turning Eponine’s song into a duet sung by two men, to each other, was pure genius, giving it a whole new meaning without changing a word. Unforgettable.

Far from being “Miscast”, I felt that every number was sung by exactly the people it should have been sung by. By stepping outside the expected gender, age and cultural norms, this cast and their creative team have shone new light on familiar songs and opened our eyes to new interpretations of well-known shows. What a bold, creative and passionate company you are. You gave us an evening I will remember for a long time.

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