The jukebox musical has
become a firm money spinner for theatres across the land, but for my money there are only two jukebox
musicals that lift the art to a higher plane: the eternally sunny Mamma Mia! and at the other end of the
spectrum darker events in NW1 courtesy of Madness and Tim Firth in Our House.
It seems a little cruel
to be giving a verdict on the opening night of a tour with a show as complex as
this. There were bound to be fluffs with
costume and set, and sure we got them, but it didn’t deter from what is clearly
a classy revival. The magnificent Crewe Lyceum proved an equally classy setting to launch this new tour.
Tim Firth’s script is seemingly influenced by the movie Sliding
Doors (and we got plenty of them in this version) as we follow the
alternate time lines of Joe Casey following a break in at a building
site. There follows events which in
which the ‘light’ Joe Casey - who gives himself up when police arrive - seems to be
getting the worst of things, whilst ‘dark’ Joe Casey with his decidedly dodgy
morals does a runner. This Joe seems to have everything: success and his girl, Sarah.
But this is a morality tale and fortunes change. Firth’s clever script mines the comedy out of
some quite murky events, and the drama
is heightened by the timeless pop arsenal of Madness. Back in the day, the bleak jobless landscape
of life in Thatcher’s Britain was reflected in the lyrics of some of the best
songs married with some killer singalong tunes. It was an irresistible combination
which made them the legends they are today.
Songs such as It Must Be Love, My Girl, House Of Fun, and the title song Our House remain classics. It is almost impossible not to get out of your seat and dance.
This new production produced
by the Immersion Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions conjures up the
world of NW1 in style. Designer David Shields has a tough task of producing a
number of locations ranging from Casey Street to inside a prison to a Las Vegas
wedding. He does so with a clever array of set pieces which work well. Meanwhile
director James Tobias and choreographer Fabian Aloise get the meat out of the
drama and music through a high energy young cast.
As the pivotal role of
Joe Casey, Jason Kajdi has big shoes to
fill. But he does so magnificently. This must be one of the toughest roles in
musical theatre beset with baffling quick changes as the ‘light’ and ‘dark’
aspects of the character intertwine. And despite the odd wardrobe malfunction,
Kajdi sailed through it like a true pro.
He gives a star performance. He
is surrounded by an equally strong ensemble.
Deena Payne brings just the right amount of sensitivity to Joe’s mother Kath. Sophie Matthew is spot on as Sarah who
struggles with the actions of both versions of Joe. She possesses a lovely singing voice too,
which is most evident in her solo number NW5.
Street dancer George Sampson (erstwhile winner of Britain’s Got Talent nine years ago) steps up to play one of the
villains of the piece, skinhead scumbag Reecey.
Naturally some street dancing is incorporated into the show, but away from
that Sampson has the confidence to give Reecey the arrogance and swagger that
defines him. It is the start of a
promising career in musicals. A word too
must go to Callum McArdle as Joe’s Dad.
A spectral figure who observes and narrates the actions of his
son, it is a strong binding of the two
alternate futures from the view of a father who is so near and yet so far.
Jason Kajdi as 'dark' Joe
Deena, Jason and Sophie
George Sampson as Reecey
I could go on naming cast members, but it
would just bore you. Save to say that this is a top notch, high energy cast who
leave us all breathless with their dance and performing skills. Musical Director Dustin Conrad leads a band
of four, which somehow manage to sound like twenty, and are one of the major
reasons the audience were tapping their feet throughout. After a hectic first performance, the show will no doubt be tightened and honed further. I'd like to see the cast when they are truly bedded into their roles.
The cast of Our House 2017: raw talent
It is always a worry,
when you hold happy memories of previous productions of a show, that a new tour
will somehow diminish those memories for you.
However the residents of Casey Street are in good hands here. It is a production blessed with a lot of love
for its subject. There has never been a
better time to be invited to Our House.
Tour details can be found at www.ourhousetouruk.com
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