The Realness – Hackney Down Studios

Ashley Gayle in The Realness at the Hackney Downs Studios, London

The Realness continues at the Hackney Downs Studios, London until 20 December.

The Big House Theatre Company and Big Broad Productions succeed in their aims of creating a “unique evening of musical theatre” through the staging of an unconventional piece which uses a cast of professional actors, care-leavers and ex-offenders, which is in line with the Big House and Big Broad’s objectives of empowering young people through the power of performance.

The piece focuses on Jay, who has recently been released from prison and is determined to turn his life around, but with temptation around every corner, is this possible?

The Realness uses the familiar rags-to-riches story, but Big House artistic director Maggie Norris’ production breathes new life into this format through genuinely engaging characters who each have complex stories. The audience is given intimate access to their lives through in-the-round staging, the consistent use of voiceovers created by Lenny Henry, and video content (designed by the Tony Award-winner Mic Pool).

Ashley Gayle stands out as lead character, Jay. He shows depth as a vulnerable and conflicted young man as he performs the introspective ‘This is the Realness’ on a bare stage and showcases his vocal ability in the strapped back ‘The Mighty Ty’.

Gayle truly excels in his scenes with Andrew Brown who plays the naïve Mikey. They develop an easy comic relationship. A highlight is the ‘Respectability Whine’ number when they joke about the joys of being a respectable member of society.

Veronique Andre is convincing as the strong, no-nonsense Shanice, who is Jay’s girlfriend. Andre is given the wittiest lines of dialogue and delivers them confidently. She is the strongest vocalist within the production and is particularly powerful in her rendition of ‘Tell Ne/Don’t Tell Me’.

KM Drew Boeteng is excellent as the hilarious traffic warden, Obi, who calls himself the “law enforcer”, while boasting that he will “ticket your life, ticket your wife” while performing a Beyonce-esque dance routine, choreographed by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, with the backing of his fellow traffic wardens.

The Realness is a well-executed piece of musical theatre (book by Maureen Chadwick and David Watson, music and lyrics by Kath Gotts) which benefits from catchy songs, defined characters, humour, and, most importantly of all, honesty.

Rebecca Gordon

www.bigbroad.co.uk/productions/the-realness-musical