Closer Than Ever – Edinburgh Festival Fringe – PQA @Riddle’s Court

The cast of Closer Than Ever at PQA Venues @Riddle’s Court. Picture: Charlotte Hughes

Closer Than Ever continues at PQA @Riddle’s Court until 27 August 2018 (not 15, 22).

Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩

A classy visual of the cast of three men and three women all dressed in shades of grey and white sets the tone for the piece. The upstage area is used as a large screen with projected imagery complementing the songs’ lyrics and overall atmosphere. The staging makes frequent use of a large sofa and occasional use of an umbrella, evoking a mature ‘Friends’, except this group of six have character changes galore!

Rarely performed, David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr’s work is more commonly delivered by a cast of four. One of the advantages of a larger cast is that it’s a little less demanding on individuals vocally and the ensemble pieces can have a more luxurious sound. At times, the sound of the entire cast could do with being brought down slightly to enhance the blend.

It is always difficult in staging a song cycle such as Closer Than Ever to avoid it becoming oratorio and there are directorial demands to find appropriate lines of action to support the music and lyrics. Furthermore, it can be argued that it is very much ‘of its time’ (1989) and although there are attempts to update the interpretation, such as using the #MeToo on back projections, that sits a little less comfortably alongside the assertion that women do not help other women up the career ladder, whilst ignoring that men had been doing nothing for women in the workplace for generations.

There are perhaps a few too many moments where the show feels rather heavy and static, particularly in the more difficult ballads. ‘Patterns’ in particular is crying out for a more adventurous staging and it might be valuable for the company to find a bit more here.

The keyboards are handled brilliantly and a highlight is the solo number ‘If I Sing’ – heartfelt and sincere. It may be that the show will relax a bit more and become more playful as the run develops. I am wishing the cast every success as they continue to explore.

Fiona Orr