RENT

Lovely, friendly welcome to the Playhouse.The auditorium was packed with an excited audience. The programme was well set out, with attractive photos & bios; and lots of info about the show and HMOS.

The set was grungy and minimalist and composed largely of scaffolding. Shabby but very cool. The beautiful downlighting complemented it perfectly. An extended apron completed the design, with a large gap to the under-stage. Lighting was generally good, although some of the dancers on SL of the apron weren’t always covered.

And down under the stage were Gareth Alber and his band, generating a a really good, tight sound, but perhaps because they were underground, they overcompensated and sometimes overwhelmed the excellent songs ? But it was great music.

Della Bhujoo’s choreography was also excellent. Movement was natural and exciting and used the whole stage. For example, Tango Maureen wove dangerously around the narrow apron stage, but all was slick and confident.

Costumes were gorgeous…colourful and varied and seemed perfect for the time and place. Props were all good and used smoothly. Mobile phones had been…miniaturised. Just as well, as a 1990 original would have been the size and weight of a house-brick !

Outstanding songs included Roger’s powerful One Song Glory and Out Tonight, a fine fun number from Mimi. Over the Moon was a really zany song from Maureen and La Vie Boheme gave a storming finish to Act I. Seasons of Love opened ACT II beautifully; and Take me or Leave Me was a terrific performance by Joanne and Maureen. Without You and Contact were well done; and the reprise of I’ll Cover You had a stunning tableau. Roger’s Your Eyes was a lovely tearjerker.

All the singing was of high standard and so strong throughout; whether it was solos, duets or ensemble numbers. The entire cast displayed good characterisation and massive energy.

We cared about the characters, their histories and their troubles. Matt Howes, as Mark, was a fine narrator for the show, mourning his past relationship with performer and activist, Maureen (a very rich performance by Alice Jones). She had left him for Joanne, a lesbian lawyer, played powerfully yet thoughtfully by Shannon Hearn.

Olly McLaughlin was first-rate as Mark’s flatmate Roger, depressed and trammelled by his HIV and the loss of his girlfriend & career…and then his hesitant intimacy with Mimi. She was played at full throttle by Anisa Bharmal, with great acting and singing.  

The developing relationship of Tom and Angel was beautifully explored by Zak Negri and Luke Pisano, with strong and sensitive performances from them both. Freddie Brown handled the dichotomy of Benny’s character (grasping then generous) with humour and great panache & presence.

Katie Leitch has skilfully wielded her talented cast and crew to create a very fine and satisfying show.

Thank you all.

Graham Botterill

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