Rust continues at theSpace @ Venue 45 until 24 August 2019.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
As highlighted in our preview article, this is the company that brought Six to the Fringe before its elevation to the West End. In Rust, they’ve exceeded that show in many ways.
Intelligent, theatrical, entertaining and profoundly moving, Rust tackles mental illness, addiction and recovery head-on. This is an authentic and often funny insight through the eyes of Evie (Alice Gilderdale) as she struggles to come to terms with her own mental health issues through therapy.
Each character is finely written, observed and performed. Evie is far more than a device to take us through what therapy is all about. A kind of ‘everyman’ character, she is recognisable to everyone and when she makes her breakthrough moment with the title song we are all swept along in the understanding of exactly how she feels. The rust analogy is perfect in describing the effect of any kind of disruption to both mind and body.
Lola, Caroline, Jude, Noah and Ollie make up the others in the group under the care of Robyn and Venessa. Each has a tale that is succinctly and empathically revealed. Highly skilful that all of this is realised in such a tight timeframe without feeling rushed or cliched.
The pace and balance of Helena Fox’s writing is close to flawless; an outstanding example of what can be achieved in one hour on a stage. The cast of eight is all strong in both acting and singing. Underplaying to just the right level for the piece, this young company shows a maturity beyond its years.
The lack of music in the retreat is seen as an unnecessary hardship – one that becomes a great opportunity for the alter-ego ‘Gina Tonic’ to express a different side to Jude (Sean O’Neill) in an uplifting number. Both Alex Hancock (Ollie) and Lara Cosmetatos (Caroline) are superb throughout.
Geraint Owen’s score is deceptively simple: there are strong themes, outstanding solo numbers and spine-tingling harmonies that match the mood and dramatic arc of the show.
A band of two keyboards, bass and lead guitar with woodwind of saxophone, flute or clarinet round out the sound. If anything, the underscoring could be increased slightly as the applause tends to break the flow here and there.
Playing to a full house, at least 20 of us in the audience were weeping at the end of this show. Occasionally, there is a show that stands out on every single level. This is one. Book as soon as you can.
Fiona Orr
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