“Inspired by Puccini’s classic opera La bohème, RENT features unforgettable music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson including the much-loved songs Seasons of Love, Take Me or Leave Me and La Vie Bohème. Winner of four Tony® Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and the hugely prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it ran on Broadway for an astonishing 12 years.”
From the day Rent opened on Broadway, it has been a popular
culture sensation. Shining a light on issues like HIV, homelessness and drug addiction, this musical is one of a kind and has made its way to the St
James’s Theatre in London to mark its 20th anniversary.
Throughout the evening, the choreography was fantastic! For a
show which does not necessarily require heavy dance routines, the
interpretation suited the show perfectly. In the opening number
"Rent" which involved all the cast, and although the main focus is on
Mark and Roger trying to make a fire to keep them warm, the rest of the cast
danced around them as both homeless people and drug addicts. The choreography
was sharp, isolated and quick, and the idea of addiction was clear.
Another number notable for its staging was "La Vie
Boheme". Set in a restaurant, and in a small space, I wasn't sure how this
would work. The use of tables played a huge part in this, and (as with the set)
the way they tables were moved about the stage was executed very well. I
particularly enjoyed when couples were sat at the tables and doing a rhythmic
and fast hand routine (think "Pitch Perfect" and "The Cup
Song", but with no cup and 12 times as fast!) With lots of sexual
references in this song, the cast were not shy in their movements, but the
movements were in no way crude. Not one bit of choreography was out
of place.
Perfection.
The whole cast were incredible and you were emotionally
invested with each character. Billy Cullum as Mark is really the glue of the show, and he is rarely off stage. A fantastic performance, and with the original Mark from Broadway, Anthony Rapp, in the audience, I can only imagine the pressure he would have been under. Cullum kept the show flowing and, for such a placid character, his turning point after "Halloween" was spot on. "La Vie Boheme" was a highlight for me, and he lead this number with great showmanship.
Ross Hunter as Roger is a slow burner, but worth
the wait. Fans of the show know Roger’s
year-long struggle to write his greatest song "Your Eyes" and Hunter
sings this with a real heart-aching poignancy.
Layton Williams as Angel was simply brilliant. Angel is
fierce, playful and funny in Act I, but by Act II has had a dramatic downfall
and becomes a tragic heroine. A phenomenal dancer and acrobat, he really showed
off his skills in "Today 4 U". He did lose a little stamina and breath
control with his vocals about half way through this number, but with the tricks
he was having to do (and in heels!) I am not surprised and he is easily
forgiven!
Lucie Jones as Maureen was quirky and loveable. With this
role famously being played by Idina Menzel, it can be easy to try and copy her
original performance, but Lucie Jones was a Maureen in her own right. Her riffs
were phenomenal and her comic timing in the monologue
for "Over The
Moon" was on point. She even managed to convince the audience to
"moo" with her!
The stand-out performance of the night was undoubtedly Ryan
O'Gorman as Collins. His deep raspy tones when he sang reverberated beautifully
through the theatre and his relationship with Angel was totally believable. He
had such a strong stage presence and seeing him break down during "I'll
Cover You: Reprise" on stage left me heart broken. His singing was raw and
stripped bare and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.
Other notable performances were Philippa Stefani as Mimi,
Shanay Holmes as Joanne, and ensemble members Jenny O'Leary, Christina Modestou
and Jordan Laviniere.
Although this show is residing at the St James for the
Christmas season, that does not mean this is a Christmas show. Rent gets really
dark and brings to the forefront of your mind the reality that not everybody
gets that cosy Christmas dream of presents around a big decorated tree with a crackling
fire and family to share the day with. It’s not necessarily a “feel-good” show,
but it is life affirming and is the perfect way to remind you that there is no
day but today.
This show is nothing short of perfection.
Review by Claire Redbush
Rating: ★★★★★
