IMAGINARY – National Youth Music Theatre (SimG Records)
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This is the latest release from SimG Records involving the National Youth Music Theatre and it is a corker!
Written by Timothy Knapman and Stuart Matthew Price, the production was staged at The Other Palace last year directed by Shaun Kerrison and, as far as I can make out, it was unanimously well received. And so it should have been. This live recording was made over four performances during that run.
The story is a moving, funny and inspiring new musical about the wonder of childhood, and the struggle to hold on to that wonder as you grow up. Chaotic, open-hearted and imaginative Milo is Sam’s only friend. They do everything together. But as Sam’s first day at secondary school approaches, his mum is worried that the mischievous Milo is holding her son back, stopping him from growing up. School turns out to be full of surprises – and secrets. Can Sam and Milo’s friendship survive in this new world, where a painful revelation threatens to change their lives forever?
The two main characters are played with such conviction by Josh Gottlieb and Tom Price who, along with the rest of this sterling cast, appearing to be having the time of their lives. The tone of the show goes seamlessly between adventure, humour and just a touch of sadness – all handled with great aplomb by this young cast.
It is unbelievable to realise that the National Youth Music Theatre is not funded and relies entirely on charitable donations. And yet the company is able to produce such exemplary work as this. The physical CD is available now and a digital version will be available for download later. All profits, thanks to SimG Records, go towards the future of the NYMT and will allow them to continue giving opportunities to our future musical theatre artists (and stars!) Do yourself a favour – go out and buy it!
Nick Wakeham
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