Rent

For only the second time in their 96-year history, Woodhouse Musical Theatre Company elected to perform a summer show (the first being Curtains, written by Society member Richard Sykes in 2000) when they took on the challenge of writer Jonathan Larson's Rent.
This production coincides with the 20th anniversary of Rent and poignantly the death of Larson, at the age of 36, the night before the show’s first off Broadway performance.
Rent, which enjoyed success primarily on Broadway, is something of a cult musical, and with its central theme of drugs, HIV/Aids, homosexuality, transgenderism and death, has undoubtedly a certain resonance with a predominantly younger generation.
The storyline is based very loosely on Puccini's La Boheme and follows the lives of a group of people struggling with poverty, conflict and tragedy.
Woodhouse's production was certainly well cast.
There were some fine performances throughout from the eight-strong cast, excellently led by Luke Flacks in the principal role of struggling musician Roger, and the experienced duo of Adrian Russell as landlord Benny, and Neil Broadbent as Tom Collins, who gave an emotive performance as the partner of drag queen Angel, superbly played by Joe Medlock.
Matt Ogden held things together nicely as Mark, while Alyce Liburd, as strip club dancer and heroin addict Mimi Marquez gave an accomplished performance as did Olivia Simpson as Maureen, the bisexual performing artist (a role once performed by the amazing Nicole Scherzinger) and Mollie Targett as Joanne, Maureen's lesbian lover.
Full marks must go to Mark Breen, musical director, for helping the performers overcome the challenging score and for bringing together the excellent band, while the dual directors/choreographers, Rebecca Cawthra and Scott Armstrong must be congratulated for bringing the whole project to life.

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