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Rent
Newcastle Gosforth
Jubilee Theatre
Until Saturday 17th
September 2016
The
hugely successful musical that has entertained the theatre going public for 20
years has now returned to Newcastle with a young, talented
and energetic cast doing it justice. The rock opera is still relevant today and
it went down a storm with the audience on opening night.
First
up though is “where is the theatre”? We don’t normally cover this in a review
but it has come up as a question to the preview to the show. The Jubilee
Theatre is in the middle of the St Nicholas Hospital complex which is
signposted at the traffic lights down Jubilee Road. The direction within the
complex are given in the following handy guide: LINK TO SITE DIRECTIONS
 |
| Photos: George William Knox |
Now
back to the musical. Rent was written by Jonathan Larson who based it upon
Puccini’s opera La Boheme. The reboot changes the life threatening disease to
AIDS but the tales of poverty, protest and trying to survive is very much a
strong one. Just like an opera, the production is sung through and all of the
story is delivered through the carefully worded songs.
The
set design is apparently simple, with it scaffolding and projection screen, but
it is extremely effective in helping director & choreographer Bobby Trotter
to deliver an effective show.
 |
| Photos: George William Knox |
The
young cast range from sixth formers through to recent graduates and yet the
talent and confidence on show belies this youthfulness. The 24 performers create
a fabulous sound as they sing the diverse material. Highlights include I’ll Cover You with Angel (Jonny Hill)
and Collins (Ed Ross); Take Me or Leave Me with Joanne (Rachael
Bell) and Maureen (Keira Falcus), Without
You with Roger (Ollie Cook) and Mimi (Bridget Marsh) and Tango: Maureen with Joanne and Mark (Peter Lynn). There were a number of great ensemble numbers
include the wonderful finale.
A
fine band, under musical director Joe Diggle, kept it tight throughout the
show.
In
terms of acting it felt that the cast had a real energy. They were also able to
suggest that there was a real chemistry between the couples. This is something
that is often missing on much bigger productions featuring more established
names. There was an empathy with the
characters that help make the absurdity of the human condition seem apparently
normal. The course that love takes is rarely a straightforward one and they
were able to show this between the various couples that spring up during the
show.
Rent
is an entertaining romp from tremendous cast who gave it their all. The show
makes it is well worth seeking the venue out if you haven’t been before, even
if the location is outside of Newcastle’s city centre.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver the North East Theatre
Guide – follow Stephen at @panic_c_button
Read
the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/preview-rent-at-newcastle-jubilee.html
On The Web:
Tickets:
Rent is on from Wednesday 14th-Saturday 17th September 2016 and the show starts at 7pm. Tickets
cost £8 & £10 and available online from http://www.secondacttheatre.com/rentticketstore
Venue: The Jubilee
Theatre, St Nicholas' Hospital, Jubilee Road, NE3 3XT
Please note that this
show contains adult themes and some strong language so is unsuitable for young
children (13+ age recommendation)
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