Rent

Create Theatre Academy wowed their audience with a powerful presentation of ‘Rent’ The Musical, by Jonathan Larson. I was lucky enough to watch this production twice, with alternate casts, this report is based on the cast performing on the Saturday evening when I attended with my official plus one. Having no prior knowledge of this show, it was a pleasure to see it performed to an incredible standard. The audience, transfixed by the quality of the vocals and performances stood in ovation as the finale rang out. Directors Alex-May Coley and Rebecca Eastham created an emotional rollercoaster of a show. New York, late 1980’s, life was tough, drugs were commonplace, AIDS was ravishing the community. A struggling filmmaker documenting the passing twelve months guides the audience through the difficulties of friendship, love, addiction, and loss.

Alex-May and Rebecca brought out excellent performances from their actors. The entire company confident, synchronised, and dynamic. Every actor on stage fully committed to their role. The company used set pieces, effectively creating new scenes smoothly as they moved around the stage. The precise timing of this was excellent, every actor focused, rehearsed faultlessly. The stage was open upon arrival, a back cloth in situ revealing, rotten, peeling walls and a window. Steps, boxes, graffiti covered, lined the sides of the stage, with movable stairs and scaffolding stationed around edges and to the rear, all of which became separate locations throughout the show. This was the gritty side of New York, the reality behind the glamour as struggling actors, musicians, and artists tried to survive. The stage looked seedy, dangerous, shadows lurked everywhere, drug addicts, the homeless, and the forgotten, took refuse there as a last resort. There were many poignant moments throughout this show, the passion displayed on the stage was designedly intense. I am not ashamed to say that the tenderness and feeling behind certain scenes reduced me to tears. The company worked with a collective energy, committed totally to telling their story, captivating the audience. One scene that stood out for me was the drug dealer scene, the company following the dealer looked fantastic. Moving together, desperate for a fix, like a hoard of zombies, staggering in tight formation behind the dealer, it looked shocking, it felt raw. Excellent work everyone. Through the scaffolding stage left, sat Musical Director, Dave Dossett, and his band. Dave created strong harmonies with the cast, lyrics were clear, vocals outstanding. The singers in this society, each unique individually, are formidable when combined. ‘Seasons of Love’ at the beginning of act two was fantastic. Never overpowering the vocals, Dave, and his band played their way through 31 songs with professional aplomb. The lights were excellent throughout, follow spots were tight. I particularly enjoyed the Pride colours during the memorial scene, they looked beautiful, poignant, atmospheric. The colour wash of blues and cyans enhancing nighttime scenes, a great lighting plot, designed to draw the eye and capture the audience. Sound, by Dave Pallant was exacting, sound effects prompt, with no feedback or open mics, the volume great with a complimentary mix of vocals to music. This was an excellent production, costumes, hair, makeup all carefully selected for the era. I particularly liked the slow progression of makeup worn by Mimi, gradually making her look gaunt and gravely ill. The attention to minute details was clear throughout.

Narrating the plot, was aspiring film maker, Mark, played by Joe Bigley. Mark was the catalyst around whom the story unfolds. Documenting his life and that of his friends for a twelve-month period on his cine camera. Joe gave an excellent performance, his accent, mannerisms, and facial expressions solidified his characterisation. ‘Tango: Maureen’ was impressive, Joe showed a skill for dancing the tango whilst keeping a close harmony. A powerful performance from this actor.

Living with Mark was Roger. A musician struggling to come to terms with detox, the death of his girlfriend, and the knowledge that he was HIV positive. Flynn Baistow played his character with a deep intensity. Tormented, scared, angry, all fantastic emotions well played. Flynn’s rendition of ‘Your Eyes’ heartfelt and emotive.

Mimi, a neighbouring dancer, HIV positive, drug addict, falls for Roger but cannot quit her drug habit, eventually overdosing. Emma Soper was strong in this role, displaying an impressive vocal ability ‘Out Tonight’ and ability to harmonise ‘Light My Candle.’ The overdose scene, played with measured understatement, gripped the audience. Emma was a skilful player, her performance fantastic.

Having quit MIT, Collins found himself at the liberty of street thugs before meeting Angel. Friend of Mark and Roger, Collins began a tentative love affair with Angel. Jack Hornby was excellent as Collins, his accent, mannerisms, and demeanour worked extremely well. The interactions with Angel full of hope and affection, gentle, tender, fleeting. ‘I’ll Cover You,’ a duet with Angel was simply lovely. I particularly enjoyed ‘Santa Fe,’ Jack sang with an easy, smooth voice, nice.

Angel, kind, sweet natured, street musician, played by Lyall Rowland burst into the lives of the other protagonists in a glorious unselfish way. Lyall’s ability to high kick and do the splits in heels was impressive during ‘Today 4 You.’  With lovely vocals in ‘You Okay Honey?’ that were soft and caring. Angel’s death scene was poignant, making the audience audibly sob. An excellent performance from Lyall.

Trying to keep her love life intact was Joanne. With her lover Maureen (Mark’s ex girlfriend) constantly giving her the run around, she finally snapped, and their relationship ended. Ruby-Mai Bevan was great in this role, displaying an enviable vocal range, and an affinity for the Tango. Her duet in ‘Tango Maureen’ was excellent, her harmonies fantastic.

Maureen, a protest artist, organised a demonstration against the landlord (friend of Mark, Roger, and Collins) and his intention to evict all the tenants. Lover to Joanne, ex girlfriend of Mark, Maureen was passionate and loud. Aoife O’Brien gave a passionate rendition of ‘Over the Moon,’ her vocals were amazingly strong.

Having married into money, former friend, Benny, was prepared to sell the apartment building and throw the occupants out onto the street. Charlie Warren stepped into the shoes of landlord Benny. Charlie was great as the smooth talking, social climber Benny, with an impressive ability to harmonise, ‘You’ll See.’

One performance that stood out came from Jena Darley as Mrs Cohen, Mark’s mother. Portrayed through phone conversations left on an answering machine, Jena was fresh, funny, with an excellent accent. A smashing performance from a talented actor.

The quality of performances on the stage was fantastic. Each actor totally committed to their characterisation. Wowing the audience from the onset. I thoroughly enjoyed this production, it was emotional, heartbreaking and heartwarming. The final message, one of love. I would like to thank Create Theatre Academy for inviting me to their show and look forward to many more in the future.

 

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