‘How Do You Measure, Measure a Year?…’ RENT The Musicall, Churchill Theatre, Bromley. 06.02.2017

I had been wanting to see this show for a very long time! Sadly tickets were limited during its run at the St. James Theatre in London, but with news that it was continuing on tour there was hope! Low and behold it was coming to one of my locals and I was even more delighted to be asked to go on Press night. So on Monday myself and friend Laura took ourselves to Bromley to go to the Churchill Theatre to see the new production of the 20th Anniversary Celebration of RENT the Musical.

I am becoming quite familiar with the Churchill Theatre, but one things for sure there isn’t a bad seat in the house! Tonight I was seated once again in Row L but this time on the stage right seats numbers 3 and 4. There were no problems with out view at all, and I recommend this seats in the future!

Rent The Musical is inspired by Puccini’s classic opera La Bohème. Book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson it tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists who are struggling to survive, and live their lives in the East Village of New York City during the days of the Bohemian Alphabet City 1989, with the darkness of HIV/AIDS that loom over them. The story is such a powerful and moving piece which is performed excellently in every word and lyric from all the performers. Also I advised you to bring tissues when you see this musical, sadly I wasn’t as prepared!

What I loved most about the story however was how honest it was throughout, the struggles, the love, the pain all displayed in one musical so effortlessly, but also see the fun, and passion each character have in what they were doing. Particular Angel’s story with his relationship with Tom, and how they stood by each other through Angel’s illness to the very end, even with only knowing each other just under a year. Roger’s story of him trying to accept the illness, and learn not to let it hold him back and hide from the world but stand strong to carry on living his life to its full potential, mainly due to meeting Mimi who also  on top of this struggles with a drug addiction along with the same illness.  I could go on and on about the many stories being told, but I wouldn’t want to give too much away on this beautiful story. You will just have to see what these characters get up to in a year yourself or ‘525,600 minutes’ even.

With being set in a grim tenement block in Manhattan, Anna Fleischele’s design on the staging reflects on the downtown Manhattan fire escapes, with the use of scaffolding.  It provides the performance with great flexibility and is used to its full ability throughout, not causing to much distraction on stage which would have taken away from the story.

 

The cast tonight were on fire:

Mark Cohen – Billy Cullum

Roger Davis – Ross Hunter

Tom Collins – Ryan O’Gorman

Benjamin Coffin III – Jarvar La Trail Parker

Angel Schunard – Harrison Clark (Understudy)

Mimi Marguez – Phillippa Stefani

Maureen Johnson – Lucie Jones

Joanne Jefferson – Shanay Holmes

Various Roles – Jenny O’Leary, Katie Bradley, Joshua Dever, Kevin Yates, Bobbie Little, Cristina Modestou, Jordan Laviniere, Oliver Bingham.

Lucie Jones I have had the privilege of seeing before as Elle Woods, but tonight’s role Maureen could not have been far from it! She looked as though she was having a ball playing this role, with brilliant comic moments (Over the Moon for one) that had the audience roaring with laughter! There is also isn’t a note that this girl can’t hit, and her duet with Shannay Holmes (Joanne)Take Me Or Leave Me was a highlight to tonight’s soundtrack!

Bily Cullum’s Mark the narrator of the show is strong within his role, keeping everything together. His Partnership with Ross Hunter’s Roger is strong, and Ross’s strong and rock voice is lovely to hear but also soothing, and soft when he sings your Eyes. I am so happy that I finally got to see him perform having missed him during his time in Rock of Ages.

Mimi played by Philippa Stefani’s, and her performance was one in a million that throughout you see the breakdown, and heart break in her character, but yet see the support she receives from the others shows how much everyone cared. Philippa had the vocal, the high kicks that well suited the role of Mimi she was a delight to watch!

Angel played by Harrison Clark, the understudy currently taking on the role during Layton Williams rest following an injury. Harrison took it in his stride, and does not disappoint with his dancing, singing, and his emotions with coming to terms with the illness he is suffering with. Tom his partner and love played by Ryan also plays the role well, and his deep bass voice is so strong and soothing. His love for Angel is clearly displayed and you feel so much for him at the finale, but respect him for standing by his love that many may not have been able to,

The chorus supported, and held together the show throughout, with their homeless, parents, friends, and other various roles. But to hear them all sing Seasons of Love in the beginning of Act 2 is when you really see them come together and the a highlight of the show for sure! I was so happy that I finally heard it live, having had it repeat on my Ipod so many times.

RENT does not disappoint, and its sad to know that the writer and creator Jonathan Larson never got to see it performed on Broadway, and West End. Having sadly passed away the day before the first previews, it lives on in his memory and he I’m sure he would have been proud of how far it has come today! RENT is showing at the Churchill up until the 11th February for tickets go here. It then continues to show around the UK, for further information visit the main website here. You won’t be disappointed!