LONDON TRIP REVIEWS

Jan 03

Finding myself in London again on what turned out to be a truncated business trip, I decided to catch a few of the shows that didn’t quite “make the cut” for my visit last month. I was somewhat surprised to find that I could get a good seat for all of the shows below at the last minute. Perhaps I was fortunate, but perhaps this is a further indication that the theatres aren’t quite doing the trade they would like in this gloomy political environment.

Stomp - Vaudeville

Being a late start (8.00), I managed to fit this in after a day’s grind, and what a wonderful conclusion to the day it turned out to be. The dustbin-banging, brush-sweeping Stomp has been around for over a decade now, so it is perhaps surprising that I hadn’t seen it before (except for the snippets on TV, like on the Royal Variety Performance). Most people will have gathered enough knowledge of the show to know the basic premise, and the novelty, or “surprise” elements, were consequently dissipated (almost everyone knows that the man sweeping the stage at the beginning is about to start a rhythm). Dustbins, brooms, basketballs, sink-units and plungers all feature in an inventive display of musicality via unconventional means. There were some elements, however, that I didn’t anticipate. I expected energy, and more subtle moments, but what caught me more was the humour of the piece. Light and witty throughout, it was really very funny in places, and for certain characters (the participants are listed without photos, so I can’t name names) comedy was a key role.

Running without an interval, for just under an hour-and-a-half, this is a neat little show, and is relatively light and fizzy. It’s useful particularly if you want to be entertained but aren’t in the mood for an evening-filling show (or a cerebral play), want time for a more relaxed dinner, and/or want an early night.

Grease - Victoria Palace

Another show that has been around seemingly forever; and another show I hadn’t seen. With this in mind I trooped to Victoria. Having got there I once again wondered how the Victoria Palace survives when almost every time I go the auditorium has vast swathes of empty seats.

Having seen the film innumerable times as a youth (every Bank Holiday, it seems), not always willingly, I was not very keen to see it again. Though the music was always wonderful, the story had some problematic elements, for me, and I was generally tired of it. It was mainly for these reasons I had stayed away for so long. The show, however, is terrific (I may even try to watch the film again). The plot seems simpler and more streamlined, and this makes it much more pacey and lively. It is still the songs for which everyone is waiting, however, and the cast belt out the old favourites with aplomb. The cast includes a currently uncredited performance (not in the program, and no nice “the role of…will be played by…” announcement) of Danny by Ben Richards. (Some will remember he was, until recently, the lead in The Full Monty, which was cruelly closed early, last November). While the cast is generally very good, I would be inclined to say they were “competent,” rather than “exceptional”.

Lee Latchford Evans, formerly of the pop-group STEPS stars in the “cameo” role of Teen Angel - for which he receives an unfair amount of adulation from the younger female members of the audience. I say “unfair” not because his performance is lacking in any way - he acquits himself well - but because he is no better than the other members of the cast. It is, ultimately, a cameo role involving one song and five minutes on-stage - the other members of the cast can be suitably aggrieved - they perform just as well, or better, for the whole show.

The west-end may be festooned with shows based on eighties music, but if a slice of American Rock ‘n’ Roll pie is what you’re after, this may well be it.

We Will Rock You - Dominion

I’m not a fan of Ben Elton’s writing, so despite being positively disposed towards the music of Queen, I had previously stayed away from this. While the Elton pen does grind at the ear early in the piece (his humour is pun-heavy and, to me, exceedingly smug and self-satisfied), this alleviates after a while and, particularly in the second half, only irritates rarely - most notably when quoting song lyrics and titles. Otherwise, it is generally rather funny, and quite caustic in places - indeed, it could be argued that it is his most successful script to date. Putting this to one side though, it is a bright, lively and fun show, with its tongue in its cheek for a lot of the time. The plot is tosh, of course, but this is by-the-by, as it’s largely just a vehicle for the songs. These are lit up (literally) by a tech-heavy set, and suitably guitar-rich backing. The high-tech aspect can be a curse - and it threatened to be at this performance - it broke down for half-an-hour midway through the first act. Keeping the audience in their seats in case of imminent re-commencement did not assist this hiatus.

The cast was superb - with three alternates on the night you couldn’t see the join (which is as it should be). Gilda Rocheuvel impressed as Killer Queen (some may remember her from Jesus Christ Superstar), giving a harder edge to the part than I imagine Sharon D. Clarke does (I can see her adding a more soulful quality). Hannah Jane Fox is also impressive, but perhaps this is because she has the best (and funniest) lines - still, she does well with them.

Those critics that have panned the show have clearly got it wrong, but I don’t think it’s a show to bring in a long-term audience - its appeal is too narrow. A phenomenon it may be - but a short-term one, I think.

Les Misérables - Palace

Well, I couldn’t resist. After seeing three shows for the first time, I just couldn’t resist ending with this old favourite, especially after being so invigorated by the cast I saw last month. Michael McCarthy is still brilliant as Javert, and Hans-Peter Janssen (Valjean) seems to have overcome most of his diction problems in the wordy sections. My view from the last review of this show remains unchanged - you still can’t do any better than this - magnificent.

With no expectations for the three new-to-me shows, I was happily surprised at their quality. It just goes to show that you can’t necessarily judge a show by your first impression, let alone the reviews by the so-called professional journalists. My advice, for what it’s worth, is to go and see what you fancy - whatever the reviewers say. If you must read reviews, read as many as you can to get a proper feel for the show - and then decide for yourself - ultimately reviews are simply subjective opinions. Whatever you go to see, though, do go. The theatre is still the most engrossing, entertaining, and life-enhancing way to spend an evening in London.

END.

(Dec 2002 / David Heppell / david.heppell@eidosnet.co.uk