This new musical at The Menier Chocolate Factory is absolutely beautiful and, although there was a real risk that it could get lost in the shadow of the 1995 film, this production makes the story its own.
The performances by Jenna Russell (Francesca Johnson) and Edward Baker-Duly (Robert Kincaid) are outstanding and completely heart wrenching. They are totally immersed in the characters’ story, living each moment with every fibre of their beings; and the audience is completely drawn in and with them every step of the way. The emotion that they both put into their performances is so raw and real, and you wonder how on earth they go through that night after night. They must be emotionally drained after each performance - I was a bit of an emotional wreck just from watching it!
The chemistry between Russell’s Francesca and Baker-Duly’s Kincaid crackles like electricity, and them falling in love is beautiful. It is subtle and understated, yet unmistakeable. I don’t have the words to describe or do justice to the relationship development that I witnessed on stage, but it was one of the most powerful and exquisite performances that I have seen. It was pure magic and mastery, showing two soulmates finally finding each other, and you simply have to get a ticket to see it.
Dale Rapley, Maddison Bulleyment and David Perkins are perfect as Richard (Bud), Carolyn and Michael Johnson (respectively). In the scene where they are getting ready for the fair they make everything seem like a normal family with the usual family arguments. However, with each telephone call home, and particularly in the scene where they come back from the fair, they make this normality seem claustrophobic and suffocating. That is the point, and oh my goodness, they manage it so effectively! It is brilliant characterisation by all of them.
Gillian Kirkpatrick and Paul F Monaghan provide some much needed light hearted relief as the Johnson’s neighbours, Marge and Charlie. However, when Marge goes over to the Johnson’s house with dinner when Bud and the children come back from the state fair, she provides one of the most poignant moments in the show. It brought tears to my eyes because that is true friendship.
Tearing your eyes away from the cast, the stage has two mini-revolves that bring on the various set pieces, and the transitions are very effective. The set itself is simple (kitchen unit, fridge, table and chairs, bed etc.) but detailed. For example, there is actual ‘coffee’ in the coffee pot. In a space like the Menier, where the audience is so close to the action, such details are important. However, this production seemed to go above and beyond as I’m pretty sure that I could smell tomatoes and peppers from the vegetable stew! So, either there was actual stew in the pot, or this just goes to show just how engrossing the show is and how much it draws you in.
I have to say that the entrance of Roseman Bridge did make me laugh a little as it seemed incredibly cumbersome and awkward - like trying to stop papers from blowing away - but, once the piece was set, it’s slightly amusing entrance was forgotten. The telephone call scenes and neighbour scenes that happen at extreme stage left were a little lost for anyone sitting in the stage left block as the view is blocked by the rest of the audience. Given that there is still action happening on stage during these scenes, and given the limited space, moving these scenes somewhere else is tricky, but it doesn’t seem to be the best staging.
One thing that really struck me about this show, however, is that the music is totally unnecessary. Although it provides a little bit of exposition through the lyrics, it is unmemorable and is actually quite discordant and painful in places. Consequently, I feel that this show would actually be better as a play with background music and monologues/soliloquies/more dialogue, rather than a musical.
This show is also about 15 minutes too long. The first scene of the second act could have been cut, and the show could have ended with the ice cream parlour scene, which I think would have been a really powerful and emotional ending. I didn’t really feel that there was much need for the ‘what happens next’ sequence and, in fact, I felt that it somewhat undermined the heartbreaking ice cream parlour scene. Also, given that shows at the Menier don’t start until 8pm, a 2h45 running time is a little long, especially as the seats are not the most comfortable!
Despite the unmemorable music and the slightly too long running time, this production is brilliant and absolutely worth seeing. I’m hoping that I can find a free evening to see it again before it closes, because this production, although heartbreaking, is beautiful.