Our House The Musical

A new venue for BLODS which was a sell out! This matinee musical was performed with high energy and colour throughout, immersive at times with the audience participating and enjoying every moment of the unfolding complex story and the great music of Madness – a love story based in London’s NW1 Camden Town in the ‘80’s written by Tim Firth.  A story following parallel lines of choices – good and bad, consequences and lessons learned.

With a warm welcome from the Chair, Henri, a must stop at the raffle table and invitation at the bar, the foyer led into an air-conditioned auditorium, perfect for the heat that we have been experiencing this summer. High raked seating looked down to the huge black curtains stretching across the hall width – with an ‘Our House’ love heart logo projected. Also hidden on stage left was the 8-piece live band, including on Keys 1 MD Michelle.

1980s' Camden Town was provided by Showtime Solutions of Eastleigh with additional input from creative Mike Meeson. It showed mainly brickwork flattage with hidden doors – good and bad, with a wonderful central opening to reveal Joe’s fab car and Kath’s coffin. A built-up walkway with railings above the brickwork created extra height used particularly effectively for chases. Extra features were carefully brought on and off by stage crew or cast members, including colourful market stalls selling well-stocked wares and wheel-on school desks/chairs, office furniture, filing cabinet etc. Good personal props especially the 80s' landline and bulky mobile, scooters, colourful brollies – much attention to detail.  Back projection was used to enhance locations and the simplicity of the colourful stained glass effect crucifix was stunning This also applied to the costume plot, school uniform, the bright red ties worn is some very strange places, Las Vegas brilliant patterns and colours, Joe’s contrasts his goods self in white tracksuit, baseball cap and trainers and slick dark suit collar and tie. The red dancers’ costumes, the boys in their limo chauffeur’s uniform, the elegant dresses for Sarah and her besties.  Very good shoe wear throughout, hairstyling and accessories - in all, quite a spectacle.

Musically, the soloists and ensemble were well rehearsed and positive and some of the numbers were quite complex. Script projection was clear, but sometimes the underscoring was rather too loud and hopefully Lewis’s mic problem was resolved for the evening performance. In general, the lighting plot cues worked well but at times there were dark patches which would have benefitted with stronger follow spots. This talented cast really pulled out all the stops, with imaginative direction from Lee with Harry Gentry making his debut as Production Assistant, constantly on the move, changing characters too, whilst putting across the great musical numbers. The show was slick and the synchronised movement created by Millie was sharp from principals, dancers and ensemble alike.

Kai Knight as Joe Casey did not stop – what energy – a natural mover and his nonstop gift of the gab - script interpretation great. Singing and dancing too. A strong and believable performance. Delightful duet with Jamie-Leigh Jenkins confidently portraying Sarah, the love of his life, probably one of the best-known Madness songs – ‘It must be Love’ was a hit with me. The comedic side with ‘Driving my Car’ backed with Sarah, the double act of Sam Kavakli as Emmo with Noah Kennedy as Lewis. Besties worked well together as a pair - Lilly Hamilton as Angie and Rhianna Eastman her buddy Billie who also joined the dancers.  Damon Jai Miller as Reecey certainly convinced us - in his long black leather coat he was a bad 'un. Great number with ‘Baggy Trousers’. David Nicholles played that part of deceased Dad Casey in black, as a shadow rendered ‘Simple Equation’ with reprises movingly and as a trio with Kath and Joe with ‘One Better Day’. The finale appearance from the top of the aisle through the audience saying goodbye to Joe was particularly moving. On opening, Casey and Kath winning the dance competition set the story. Kath was sympathetically played by Jules Lovell, with a gentle Irish accent – a loving mother. Mr Pressman a slick, shark, unscrupulous developer was created admirably by tall, suited Glenn Robertson. Josh Stevens characterised Callum in his tartan and with a Scottish brogue, loser boyfriend/fiancé of Sarah. A rousing finale of ‘Our House’ with the audience joining in the clapping, and excellent final bow ended this fine production.

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