Rory Taylor in Rent 20th Anniversary Concert at the Princess Theatre, Torquay and touring until 15 February 2014
Rent 20th Anniversary Concert was performed at the Princess Theatre, Torquay and continues touring until 15 Feburary 2014.
The power of the music and the strength of an ensemble that works with huge warmth, spirit and friendship carry this show, giving full value to Jonathan Larson’s award-winning and ground-breaking musical in this 20th anniversary concert. The celebratory ‘La Vie Boheme’ in the culmination of Act I is sung with passion and filled with vitality and colour, while in its closing moments the production receives and deserves a standing ovation. Powerfully played throughout, there is visible chemistry between the story’s protagonists, ensuring that the Rent 20th Anniversary Concert hits and plumbs the height and depth of emotion.
With an open stage, and a complex set structure, the band under musical director Rosalind Jones sets pace and mood from the outset. On Christmas Eve in the cold and gloom of a Lower East Side industrial loft, filmmaker Mark (Paul Ayres), the show’s narrator, sets out the storyline. As the power blows, the cold intensifies, and following well-handled Voice Mails, there is an impassioned delivery of ‘Rent’.
Offering ample opportunity for movement, the cast uses the sturdy well-lit set, designed by Ben M Rogers, with confidence underpinned by imaginative choreography from Candice Greatbanks. Director Daniel Wood places his performers with care, so that there is fine and well-balanced vocal harmony giving maximum impact to wonderful moments that include a memorable ‘Seasons of Love’.
Projected film enhances mood and place. It seamlessly moves locations from an initial graffiti-strewn apartment window, through New York’s seasonably decorated streets to the clever cartoon use in ‘Over the Moon’ as Maureen performs her protest. Natasha Hamilton (Atomic Kitten/Big Reunion) is an exceptional Maureen whose performance pulses with energy. Rachel John’s Mimi, an S&M dancer who lives below Mark and Roger’s apartment, has passion, intensity and real credibility while her ‘Light My Candle’ is immensely moving.
Rory Taylor is a powerful and convincing Roger. He struggles to come to terms with his girlfriend’s death, tries unsuccessfully to write a song, and finally through his love for Mimi, sings for her the beautiful and emotional ‘Your Eyes’.
Action is well signposted with strong vocal delivery throughout, although critically, clarity of words is occasionally sacrificed to sound volume. There are numerous impressive performances in this quality show. Ian Stroughair stands out as a wonderful Angel, magnificently “transvested” in Christmas sparkle, wig and platform heels, a character both outrageous and entertaining yet humbly sincere. Hannah Levane’s hard-working Joanne, Neil Moors as hardened landlord Benny and Leon Lopez (Collins) all ensure the show’s success, with Beth Humphries, David Hinton-Gale, Joel Harper-Jackson, Katie Bernstein and Tim Prottey-Jones as a versatile and very talented ensemble.
Anne Broom
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