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“It's something
unpredictable,
but in the end is right,
I hope you had the time of your life.”
I hope you had the time of your life.”
Presented
by The Six Twenty
FANS
Tuesday 13th
& Wednesday
14th September 2016 - Newcastle Northern Stage
Thursday 15th
& Friday 16th
September 2016 - Washington Arts Centre
Saturday 1st October 2016 –
Sunderland Stages @ Pop Recs
Nina Berry and Melanie Rashbrooke have collected lots of stories from music fans and written
this wonderful production that attempts to share the experience of being a fan
of music.
The
cast of four are part of a band, rehearsing in the garage, awaiting the big
time. They haven’t got a name but they know they share a collective love of
music. However they all love different things. We have Chris (Chris Foley), the
guitar playing guitarist who picked up his love of Billy Joe when he was in Year
9 at Gosforth High.
Charlie (Charlie Raine) is a fan of Madonna even though her
music upsets her strictly religious parents. She plans to sing for the band
even though she used to play piano. Meghan (Meghan Doyle) has an encyclopaedic
knowledge of music which matches her wide range of musical taste. Having said
that she is a big fan of the Smiths. She is able to sing and play the bass
guitar. At the back is the peace making drummer Andrew (Andrew Bleakley) who is
also really handy with the keyboards.
The
show includes verbatim elements in which the experiences of real fans are
recalled. At times it is a gig as the cast perform some of the songs.
For
many of us, music is a massive part of our lives. From that moment we
discovered ‘our’ bands we feel a sense of belonging. Listening to the music in
our bedrooms it feels like the song is being sung to just us. In other words,
it is an incredibly personal experience.
When
we finally get that chance to see our band it is an amazing experience. Even
though there could be thousands of others in the venue, it does actually feel
like there are just performing to us. The night is made perfect when we get a
souvenir such as a drum stick or a plectrum. Of course the moment can be shared
with that special person who shares the passion for the music. Hey, we may even
make them a mixtape.
This
production, likewise, is a personal experience as it is easy to relate to the
situations being described. Speaking as someone who tried to like Alison
Moyet’s then latest album in order to secure a second date and made regular
mixtapes which were the best albums EVER. I too remember clinging onto the
barrier at the front of the gig ignoring the need to get a drink or visit the
loo as I needed to see my heroes.
The
show is more gig-like than like a musical, even down to the nature of the
audience interaction and applause. Even so, it finishes with the same song as
Green Days American Idiot musical (not that the song appears on the cast
recording!).
The
show doesn’t patronise evens but understands the tribalism that happens to
groups of fans. It acknowledges that we all liked music in our formative years
that we don’t necessarily admit to. The research has clearly been comprehensive
about the attitudes of music fans.
The
cast are both entertaining and engaging. It is easy to associate the characters
with fans that we’ve met on our travels. Plus they’re great musicians too – and
they play the mixtape medley to end all mixtape medleys.
This
is a great, fun show for any fan of music. It’s for anyone who has ever bought
tickets first, then worried about how they’ll pay for them or get there or get
home much later. No wonder the audience were so enthusiastic with their
applause at the end. Fabulous.
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/2016/06/preview-fans-on-tour.html
Cast & Crew:
Presented
by The Six Twenty
Created
& directed by Melanie Rashbrooke
Written
by Nina Berry & Melanie Rashbrooke
Designed
by Luke W. Robson
Additional
material by Melanie Rashbrooke & The Six Twenty
Lighting
& Sound Designed by Craig Spence
Musical
Direction by Chris Foley
Cast:
Andrew Bleakley, Meghan Doyle, Chris Foley and Charlotte Raine.
Tickets:
Tuesday
13th & Wednesday 14th
September 2016 @ 7:30pm Northern Stage 0191 230 5151 www.northernstage.co.uk
Thursday
15th & Friday
16th September 2016 @ 7.30pm Washington Arts Centre 0191 561 3455 www.artscentrewashington.co.uk
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