A Guest review by Suzanne Hawkes
Co-op Juniors come of age in this magnificently staged modern day musical that is challenging both in content and subject matter. But undaunted by the difficulties they have tackled it head on and have produced a triumph.
RENT is set in the late 1990’s and was written by 35 year old Jonathan Larson , who died just before it opened on Broadway. It was an immediate hit and was praised for tackling difficult subjects such as HIV/AIDs, LGBTQ+ identities, drug abuse and homelessness. It has since become a modern day classic and won a number of awards as well as being made into a film.
On a very flexible and adaptable set designed by co director Oliver Brett, the story, based on Puccini’s La Boheme, centres on a year in the life of a group of friends living in Alphabet City in New York in an old building that once held a record producer’s studio.
The building is owned by a previous tenant who has married into money and now intends on evicting his former friends and developing the area. As Mark and Roger fight to stay in spite of their inability to pay the rent, they make alliances with others living in the area and life lessons are learned as relationships are forged and broken.
The main protagonists are all very strong with powerful voices and great stage presence. Sam Finan as musician Roger is a powerhouse of pent up emotion which spills out with devastating effect, and his paring with Evie Harling as the messed up but vulnerable Mimi is electric. Ed Parsons as his best friend filmmaker Mark is the calmer more contained presence who tries to hold the friendships together while documenting their struggles.
Liam Abernethy is a lovely quirky Tom Collins, once again paired well with the enigmatic Angel played with great confidence by Kaycee Totten.
Marnie Sadd gives it her all as the seductive, sassy performer Maureen – and her pairing with girlfriend Joanne played by Kacie Everett is totally believable and very touching.
But this is a big cast of over 40 – and the talent on show from everyone is inspiring.
This is not an easy musical to stage or sing – but co directors Lucy Allen and Oliver Brett and musical director Nicholas Sheehan motor it along with pace and drive but with a firm sense of direction which lets the young people shine while giving them the structure to do so.
Costumes are the usual high standard and give the characters another layer to work with.
This is not in some ways an easy watch as much of the content is challenging – but the subject matter is tacked with sensitivity and all performers from the ensemble to the main parts are all magnificent and very well drilled.
Seamless, well choreographed and powerfully sung – this company wrings out every emotion from the script to create a cracking show. Co-op juniors are the top of their game and it was impossible not to believe these were professional performers with years of training.
Well done to everybody involved.
There are 2 more performances of Rent at the New Wolsey Theatre on Saturday 5th July at 2.30pm and 7.30pm – to book tickets visit the New Wolsey Website.
SUFFOLK THEATRE 