They’re Playing Our Song – Broadway Catford

Robert Rawles and Rachael Barrington in They’re Playing Our Song at the Broadway Theatre, Catford

They’re Playing Our Song runs at the Broadway Studio Theatre, Catford, London until 21 July.

Platform Theatre Company, founded by Robert Rawles, creates a production of Marvin Hamlisch, Caroline Bayer Sager and Neil Simon’s musical They’re Playing our Song which shows great promise in Act I but suffers from a lack of momentum and purpose towards the end.

The musical, based on the real-life relationship between the lyricist Sager and the celebrated composer Hamlisch, is essentially a two character play. The small performance space at the Broadway Theatre Studio is ideal in creating a confined area in which the uptight Vernon Gersch and the eccentric Sonia Walsk develop an unconventional and comic relationship.

Both Rachael Barrington and Robert Rawles excel in the opening scene of the musical. Rawles’ Gersch is stern and frustrated with a hint of arrogance, while Barrington plays Walsk as a frank and open young woman who races through her lines in a convincing New York accent and moves around the stage with energy.

The actress’ rendition of the first song ‘Falling’ is confident and she manages to reflect the vulnerability of the character through a solid vocal performance.

Another highlight of Act I is the rendition of ‘They’re Playing our Song’. Barrington and Rawles are joined by the ensemble which includes Sophie Adams, Danielle Brook, Phoebe Coupe, Alexander Barria, Christopher Palmer and John Sandberg. The group looks on amused when Walsk and Gersch are thrilled to hear their song playing.

Later on the quick pace which underpins the earlier scenes is lost as the relationship between Gersch and Walsk, which was once convincing, becomes stilted and one-dimensional. Also, the movement towards the end, lacks the necessary tension.

However, Barrington does offer a strong performance of ‘I  Still Believe in Love’ which is staged well by Rawles in his role as director.

The cast also ends on a well-executed reprise of ‘They’re Playing our Song’ which is enthusiastic, sentimental and energetic.

Rebecca Gordon