Dogfight
Durham Assembly Rooms
Theatre
Until Saturday 2nd
September 2017.
Music & Lyrics: Benj
Pasek and Justin Paul
Book: Peter Duchan
Director &
Choreographer: Anna Besford-Smith
Musical director: Amy Robson
We
love the brave decision when a theatre company decides to do a new musical
rather than one of the familiar pot boilers.
Dogfight
is based upon the 1991 film of the same name. No, we don’t remember the film
either. However, the topic of lads on “shore leave” before going into action is
not a new one for the movies. The musical got good reviews during its 2012
Off-Broadway and 2014 Southwark Broadway runs. The cast recording has many
positive comments on Amazon too. So, in a fairly quiet week for theatre, we
headed off to the Durham Theatre.
It
is 1963 and Eddie Birdlace (Luke Henderson) finds himself with one night in San
Fransisco before being shipped out to Viet Nam first thing the
following morning. Along with Bernstein (Kyle Potter), Boland (Adam Donaldson)
and others, he decides to make the most of it before heading into the unknown
theatre of conflict. The lads want a drink, to be competitive, find female
companionship and build bonds between the comrades.
They
meet up with the innocent music lover Rose (Amber Cox) and the much more
street-wise Marcy (Anna Besford-Smith).
This
was the first night and the first act had numerous problems with the sound but
the situation was greatly improved in the second half. It was during the second
half when we get to hear some great songs by Pasek & Paul. Amber Cox, in
particular, had a chance to shine - both as a singer and as the really spunky
character Rose.
There
was an authenticity to the young age of the Jarheads
as Paul Hardcastle reminded us in his 80s hit - the average age of the combat
soldier in Viet Nam was 19. Too often these
roles get cast to older actors. Having said that, the story struggles to show
any comradeship or chemistry between the new marines. With the exception of
Rose and Birdlace, it is difficult to actually like any of the people and this
lack of empathy can be off putting.
Amy
Robson led a good group of musicians that skilfully accompanied the singers and
were consistent throughout the show.
Dogfight
is an interesting musical for those who love seeing new works. Now the first
night nerves are out of the way it is clear from the second act that this show
will improve as the run continues.
Review:
Stephen
Oliver
On
the web: Facebook
event LINK.
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