REVIEW: CASES Studio Cast Recording

It’s always exciting to see a new British musical, and while we wait until we can tread the boards in person, perhaps we are going to see a resurgence of studio albums akin to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s from the 80’s. Dominic Powell’s CASES is a gentle, easy listen, with melodies that float above you performed by a stellar cast comprised of Maiya Quansah-Breed, Bobbie Little, Andrew Patrick-Walker and Waylon Jacobs. It goes without saying that these four all have gorgeous vocals, and the album highlight is the group number “Cost of Living”, which sums up the conceit of the show the best. We are following the personal triumphs and pitfalls of four characters as they navigate an artist’s lifestyle with financial instability and all that encompasses. 

We get off to a strong start with the opening number, the title song, with gorgeous harmonies and a warm, gentle melody inviting us in. Following is an album highlight, “Airs and Grace”, sung by Maiya Quansah-Breed, injecting real character into this catchy and charismatic number that I wouldn’t be surprised to find in many a girl’s audition folder and fantasy solo concert setlist. 

The Corona Diaries: Waylon Jacobs

These recent times have been some of the hardest challenges we've faced and as a community, it hit us pretty hard. However during these difficult times, here at Pocket Size Theatre, we wanted to spread a little positivity and share some peoples experiences because we are all in this together. Each day we'll be speaking to our friends in the industry to share their experiences with you all so take a read and see how people are getting through these hard times.

Let's stick together, share the love and get through this as a community!

*Some information mentioned in this article may be out of date due to the progress of the current situation. Please keep that in mind when reading* 

Waylon Jacobs was most recently seen in the original cast of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace. His other credits include Sarge/Scarlett in Yank! (Charing Cross Theatre); Ensemble in Chicago (UK Tour); Ensemble and cover Gator, Delray and Bobby in Memphis (Shaftsbury Theatre); Ensemble and cover Brit and Rebel Leader in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre & Arena Tour); Benny in RENT (Tabard Theatre); A Midsummer Nights Dream & Ragtime (Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park); Japeth in Children of Eden (Prince of Wales Theatre) and Cover Simba/Swing in The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre).

Can you tell us anything productive you’ve been doing? 

Well in order to stop myself from just sitting on my PS4 and entering a gaming hole, thus turning my brain to mush. I created myself a timetable in which I am studying Spanish, BSL and the Piano, all thing I've wanted to do before tried starting and failed but now I have the time I've scheduled these in, as well as continuing my singing practice, script work, and keeping fit. It sounds like a lot but I have also set aside a chunk of time for lunch each day and have mini-breaks too. My weekends and evenings are completely free though, which is when I tend to wind down and take a moment for myself to switch off, It's important to be active but also finding the balance and listening to the body when it says enough has been key for me through this time as well.

Whenever you log onto social media there is so much negativity circulating. How have you been trying to keep a positive mental attitude during these times? 

As part of my timetable I meditate every morning to clear the head for what the day has in store, it seems to me there are both negative and positives on social media at the moment, if I sense that something is going negative that really doesn't affect me and I don't need to know I just switch to something else, but the easiest way to do this is to just pop the phone down for a bit, set yourself some screen time and stick to it. Find the fun and beauty in experimenting with cooking, doing a puzzle, adult colouring books are great and for me, my games consoles!