Musicals & Opera
|
| (T-Z) 3 out of 16 |
 |
Rating Guide
None = Unmissable
= Unwatchable
Page number refers to the Fringe programme
Tommy - the musical - (p141)
Drams 0
Company Spotlites Youth Theatre Company
Cast (10 yr old Tommy) Luke Millard; (Grown up Tommy) Gary Sansom;
(Captain Walker) Aaron Millard;
(Mrs Walker/Acid Queen) Lauryn Webb; (Cousin Kevin) Daniel Dingsdale; (Uncle
Ernie) Ian Floodgate; (Sally Simpson) Ashleigh Wheeler
Director Rachel Thomson-King
Venue C venue, (venue 34)
Address Adam House, Chambers Street
Date 13 August 2006
Reviewer Julian Davis
If you are expecting a rock opera with power chords and windmill arm gestures
forget it; this is a musical and a very intriguing version of the Pete Townshend
/ Des McAnuff book which the Who so explosively brought to the music world as
one of the world's first 'concept albums' and then as a successful cult film.
 |
|
The two Tommies and Mr Walker
|
If you are of my generation and grew up with The Who, the story of Tommy should
be well ingrained but many of the audience under 30 will either have to know
the storyline or, if not, may well be a little confused because they are swept
along by this fast-flowing continuous scene changing musical adaptation.
Between the high energy, well-choreographed dancing and singing of the songs
which have gone down in rock history as standards, there is a strange juxtaposition
of slow-motion scenes and mime requiring both ears and eyes to stay focussed.
There is also a fascinating juxtaposition of the 10 year old Tommy and his grown
up version on stage at the same time. Whilst the young boy, (so convincing as
a deaf, dumb and blind kid that you can almost believe he is a larger version
of the dummy they use as the baby) goes through his traumas, trials and tribulations,
the older Tommy's facial expressions in the background lets you know exactly
the agony and frustrations Tommy is feeling inside. This is reciprocated later
as the story progresses and it is a tribute to the production and direction
of the musical that they can bring such originality to a storyline which many
rock fans would believe was sacrosanct.
 |
|
Captain Walker didn't come home
|
Aaron Millard gives a stirring performance as Captain Walker. His co-star,
Lauryn Webb, in her dual roles as his wife and the brief but exceptionally good
Acid Queen, is as powerful as her voice. Sam's back obviously didn't recover
in time for this production in Edinburgh, so Ian Floodgate stepped effortlessly
into the role of Uncle Ernie with the same menacing air that Keith Moon played
in the film version. Daniel Dingsdale was very convincing in his portrayal of
the post first world war, hard drinking Cousin Kevin. As one of Tommy's religiously
committed followers, Ashleigh Wheeler in her role of Sally Simpson displayed
all the required emotions of petulance, deviousness and devotion that teenagers
do so well!
But the central characters of Tommy must obviously take their due acclaim. Young
Luke Millard is brilliant in his role and has a beautiful singing voice, which
is heard later on in the show. Gary Sansom has overcome some of his own personal
demons before finding drama as an outlet for his creative energy and brings
the experience of that into his performance. Although some of those top notes
may have been a little thin, it was nonetheless a superb performance. It would
also be totally unfair to try any comparisons with Roger Daltry, although the
swagger, posturing and other mannerisms were quite distinctly there.
 |
|
Cousin Kevin and the the lads
|
And what of the show - what did it bring us that we hadn't seen or heard before?
The 'Smash the mirror' scene included an interesting flash-back which worked
really well. There was certainly lots of enthusiasm, movement, bundles of energy
and great singing and music. But, if you can stand the bottom-numbing seats
and survive to the end, there is a most poignant final scene where the baby
dummy, the young Tommy and his older counterpart all sit in a circle around
the mirrors on an otherwise bare stage; as they gaze at their own reflections,
we are left to reflect on the pain, the suffering, the triumph and the despair
within the musical and how it relates to our own lives. No line up of cast for
the audience to rightfully acknowledge their appreciation - just a stark, haunting
finale which really etches into your memory.
It must be difficult and brave to take on such a seminal work because the musical
score and film have already had a big effect of many of my generation and younger.
I believe this production has, quite rightly, not tried to outdo the rock opera,
but has presented an interpretation and explanation that augments extraordinarily
well into the original without destroying or supplanting any of it.
Take a belated and well-deserved virtual bow Spotlites Youth Theatre. A must
for all Tommy and musical fans - go on that amazing journey where minds don't
usually go!
www.spotlites.co.uk
© Julian Davis 15/08/2006. Published on www.edinburghguide.com
© All images courtesy of the Spotlites Youth Theatre Company
Run 13 - 19 August 2006 21:45 (1 hr 45 mins)
| |
|
|
 Too
Close to the Sun (p.140) World
Premiere
A Musical Journey through the Presidential Years of JFK
Drams 0 - a 5 star + show
Company B.A. Robertson presented by Gilded Balloon Productions
Starring B.A. Robertson & Katrine Lunde
Music and Words : B.A. Robertson
Venue Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14)
Address 13 Bristo Square
Date 23 August 2006
Reviewer Mairi Anderson
This is the final show of the Fringe for me and the best was saved for last.
Suddenly after seeing several five star shows I wish there was a higher category
to award. This is a 5 star + show through and through.
B.A. Robertson has lost none of his tall, rangy, casual elegance. Despite not
performing in public for 20 years until his Fringe 2004 show, he is a much-loved
part of Scottish music history. Now history is being brought bang up to date
with this terrific show.
Too Close to the Sun is a dramatised account of the relationship between
John F. Kennedy and Inga Arvad. They were romantically involved in the 40s,
but she was rumoured to be a German spy. As a Danish, older, divorced non-Catholic,
she was not viewed as good marriage material by the Kennedy Clan. She married
a TV cowboy and had 2 sons. In this dramatisation the older boy is Kennedy's
son.
 |
|
|
The show has an unusual format. Katrine Lunde as Inga narrates most of the
story as if she is chatting personally to Jack Kennedy at various stages of
his life. B.A. Robertson provides his input from the piano. Both performers
speak and sing their part of the story.
Authentic newsreels from key events in Kennedy's life are projected onto a screen
behind the stage between songs.
The mix works well. There is poetic licence to explore what may have been the
relationship between Kennedy and Inga. There is also the tragedy of the real
life events as well as the reality of the charismatic figure who brought hope
to a generation.
Although I was just a child when Kennedy was assassinated I remember the impact
of his death and everything that he represented. This show doesn't paint him
as any angel, but it does justice to his memory.
I can't speak highly enough of Katrine Lunde. She has one of the most phenomenal
voices I have ever heard. The power, depth, richness and control in her voice
are in a different league from most performers. She opens her mouth to sing
and this pure, clear voice pours out, growing in strength and power, pinning
you back in your chair in wonder at the sheer beauty of it. It's the kind of
voice that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Just breathtaking!
The combination of B.A. Robertson's voice and lyrics with Katrine's voice will
just blow you away. His voice too is still rich and full of power and feeling.
The quality of his song writing is world class. The songs range from the most
beautiful tender ballads to the upbeat song & dance of A little hey hey
and the stark political messages of Bahia de Cochinos and One minute
to midnight.
The ballads were strongest for me because of the power of the feelings expressed
and the emotional complexity. They also provide the most scope for Katrine Lunde
to showcase her amazing voice. "State of Affairs is wonderful.
You and me moved me to tears. The final number "Look at my heart
(pierced by grief)" is beautifully mixed with a refrain from You
and me and is a fitting close to a truly fantastic show.
© Mairi Anderson. 24 August 2006. Published on www.edinburghguide.com
Run 4-27 August 2006
| |
|
|
Unga Bunga – The Stone Age Spectacular (p.141)
World Premiere
Drams
Performers Stagedaze Theatre Company
Writers Scott Pryor & James Williams
Songs by James Williams
Venue C (Venue 34)
Address Chambers Street
Date 19 August 2006
Reviewer Mairi Anderson
Unga Bunga is an entertaining musical suitable for all the family.
Unfortunately there were no programmes so I have to guess at the names of characters
and songs to point out the highlights.
The enthusiastic young cast range in ages from teenagers down to young children
and I am impressed by the way they work and perform as a team. As a group they
sing well together, particularly on the opening and closing numbers. They have
lots of energy and their enthusiasm is infectious. They clearly enjoy performing.
Choreography is inventive and even the younger children launch into routines
with confidence and vitality. They display the best of their skills in the song
and dance routines for Luck and Science and Don’t be Scared.
Some individual cast members deserve special mention. The young lad playing
Ug has a lovely voice, a strong stage presence and is very expressive. The tiniest
little boy is a sweetheart, a good performer and a real scene –stealer!
The same can be said for the girl playing Mina, the little princess. The male
lead has a good voice and holds the show together well. The female lead, brings
a flavour of recent U.S. teen school-based movies to her portrayal of Princess
Inga, in the style of Alicia Silverstone or Sarah Michelle Gellar. The young
man playing Sidney gives a good performance throughout and is particularly strong
on Look to the Stars.
Gerry the Sprite gives the best performance of the show. He is camp, funny and
hugely entertaining. The entire team of French cannibals are wonderfully comic
too.
Costumes are colourful, sets of a high standard and music and sound are good.
There is a strong theme of protecting the environment running through the show
and it is good to see a serious message put over in an entertaining and informative
way.
This children’s show is fun and enjoyable to watch. It is aimed at children
and was warmly received by the family audience.
© Mairi Anderson. 21 August 2006. Published on www.edinburghguide.com
Run 14-19 August 2006
| |
|
|
| (T-Z) 3 out of 16 |
|
|
|
