RENT

RENT is a rock musical based (very) loosely on Puccini`s La Boheme.

The story is set in New York, following the trials and tribulations of eight people whose paths are intertwined-it deals with drugs, addiction, sexuality, AIDS and loss- all extremely powerful and emotive subjects.

This show is probably the most “Marmite” production of any I have both heard of and seen- loathed and loved in equal amount amongst theatre people/audiences, a moment defining Rock Musical or a discordant load of preachy noise.

If you don`t like the show, utter it quietly amongst those who love it or have a connection with it, lest you be accused of just "not getting” it.

The characters are fairly well defined, Mark, an aspiring film maker and narrator , Roger- a once successful musician who wants to write that one last great song before he dies of AIDS. Benny – once Mark and Roger`s room-mate, but now their landlord, threatening to evict them if they don`t pay up.

Angel, a Drag Queen and street percussionist who meets and falls in love with Tom Collins, a teacher and computer genius, both infected with HIV/AIDS.

Mimi, a stripper and heroin addict, which resulted in her contracting the HIV virus, who falls in love with Roger and was once Benny`s girl.

Maureen, a bisexual performing artist- once Mark`s girlfriend, but now with Joanne, a lesbian lawyer and activist…..

In the Night Garden, this is not.

 

This production was intelligently set with the action taking place over different levels, with the “caged” band onstage, and acting area clearly defined- with moving Rostra to represent stages, tables etc.

Mark, the narrator and aspiring filmmaker, was brilliantly played by Anthony Collins. His uncomplicated, natural style and ease onstage made quirky Mark a truly believable character. You could feel his comfort of living life viewing the world from behind a lens, and the awkwardness of having to step out from behind it to engage with people. Mark, to me, was the most fascinating and complex of these characters, and Anthony`s portrayal and engagement with the audience and his fellow performers made the show all the more watchable.

Roger, the often depressed, doubt ridden musician was played well by Joshua Patrick, in what is probably one of the harder singing roles in the production. Though I did find his angst ridden, word accentuating right hand a bit of a distraction throughout, and didn`t really allow me to engage fully in his character, which came into its` own on the introduction of Mimi- brilliantly played by Katie Priss, every facet of her “tart with a heart” character there to see, sexy as hell, optimistic and vulnerable. Her innocence long gone yet still seeing the world through a child`s eyes, really just wanting somebody to love and be loved by. Great performance-well done.

Dave Stockton`s Tom Collins and Adam Barker`s  (stereotypical) Angel`s  relationship are the heart of the show, and both played their parts well, both comfortable with each other and making a believable couple. Adam`s Angel came over as a warm and generous person- I did feel though, that the difference between the “speaking” Angel and the “singing” Angel were too vast. Dave`s Tom came across as a warm and sincere character, his (and the company`s) I`ll Cover You, one of the musical highlights for me.

Chris Barker gave a strong and assertive performance as 'Benny', with strong vocals and presence .

Karen Barkers`s vocals as Joanne were spot on and her jealousy of Maureen`s flirty charismatic demeanour shone through. Jamie Leigh`s performance as Maureen was outstanding - eminently watchable, and mesmerising. I did wonder how much of Maureen was Jamie Leigh`s creation, how much was the directors vision, and how much latitude the performer had been given to `release` Maureen. Whatever the answers were, Jamie- Leigh`s Maureen was a tour de force, and of the same high standard as her other roles to date.

All of the minor roles and the rest of the ensemble worked hard, supporting rest of the cast, each having their own individual characters and fully committed to their performance, belting out the (mostly) forgettable tunes with gusto. Whenever I think of Rent, the parody of it from Team America goes through my head, and I remember the tune from that much more than nearly every number from this…….Yes, I do “get” RENT, though it doesn`t mean I am going to like it, no matter how much I have tried to.

The set, as previously mentioned was excellent, and fitted the piece, complimented by sympathetic lighting, my main and only gripe though, would be the use of the theatre chairs, they looked really out of place .

The band performed well under band leader, Paul Bryden.

Graham Barker`s choreography was simple and well executed.

Chris Barker as Director should be proud of this production, and rightly so.

You can tell that a lot of hard work had gone in to this production from Chris, Graham and Paul, and that each individual had invested a lot of time, energy and love into each and every one of their characters. For me, and many I have spoken to since, it just felt a shame that the piece itself doesn`t allow the audience to.

Thank you, as ever CAST, for your invitation and your hospitality.

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