RENT

RENT (School Edition) is a musical by Jonathan Larson’s based loosely on Puccini’s opera La Bohème. It follows a year in the lives of seven young friends living a Bohemian lifestyle in New York’s East Village. AIDS and both its physical and emotional complications pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel; Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble; Benjamin has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is  at odds with his former friends; and Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general, always behind the camera recording the events but never playing a part.

From the opening with Craig McKenzie (Mark), as the eloquent narrator and filmmaker and Max Harwood (Roger), who was powerful but tender through the frustrations and loves of each of the characters to the emotional finale a rapport and empathy grew up between the cast and the audience that was palpable. Will Maidment (Angel) created a very convincing character and maintained the female posture and mannerisms right through to the deep emotion of his act of dying.  Josh Wilks (Collins) showed a wide range of emotion and depth to his characterisation.  Connor McGrane (Benny the landlord) was a contrasting character to those inhabiting his property.  Using their fine voices, Jess Phillips (Maureen) and Alyssa Medalla (Joanne) her lesbian lover, sang their emotional duet with conviction. Kate Pink (Mimi) gave us an intense character that truly gained our sympathy and drew many a hankie from the pocket.  The Company and the Principles worked well as a team and very sincerely created the atmosphere, environment and pathos of the script.

This show is particularly challenging musically; the cast are required to tackle complex harmonies, rhythms and aspects of pitch and timing which would be daunting even to those of greater experience.  The BATS Next Generation took all the demands from this show in their stride; they showed great precision in both solos and ensembles.  The musical director Charles Withall very ably got the very best out of this very talented cast.

The simple but effective set adapted to all the various scenes with ease and the production was enhanced by very professional sound and light strategies.  The director together with his talented crew and cast brought together a splendid but thought provoking show. 

Congratulations to all those involved.

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