Have you ever wanted to know what the gin and drug-fuelled parties of 1920s New York were like? Well, The Other Palace brings them to life in this heady production. I saw this show during its first week of previews so there were still a few kinks. For example, almost every single line in the opening number was unintelligible. I am not sure whether this was due to poor sound balance or poor diction, but fortunately it improved as the first half continued. That said, even later on in the show the pace of some of the numbers meant that lines were lost. But whether or not you could hear what was going on, the atmosphere was hot and heavy and hedonistic. Neither the music nor the lyrics were memorable, but the choreography was intoxicating, and the cast is packed with talent.
I have always found Frances Rufelle’s voice to be an acquired taste, but she is perfect as Queenie. John Owen-Jones is brilliant as Burrs, a dark, threatening, vicious, lurking presence, with a voice that is outstanding and beyond compare. Some of his movement, physicality and anguish is reminiscent of his Phantom in the final lair scene. I will love Mr Owen-Jones in whatever he does - I think that he is an absolutely exceptional talent with an extraordinary voice - but I would like to see him play a slightly happier, less anguished role. That said, he does anguish so well, and he seemed to have a lot of fun in the bath with his knock out rendition of the ‘gin’ song. Victoria Hamilton-Barrett is another exceptional voice, gritty and gravelly with an indescribable edge. Sadly the end of her ‘Black is a Moocher’ is one of the numbers that suffered from sound problems.
This is the second show in a week that I have seen where nearly all the songs are monologues to the audience. However, unlike Death Takes a Holiday, this theatrical device does not seem amateur in this production as it is used to provide a deeper, and usually darker, insight into each character.
This is a demanding and draining show, both physically and emotionally - I was exhausted from just sitting in the audience! The audience are made to feel part of the action, being let in on everyone’s secrets and, by the curtain call, you feel like you have been up all night and are hungover from gin too. So, this is definitely a production to see but, be warned, you need stamina for this wild party!