★★★
“Sing along if you know the words.”
Misheard lyrics, tap solos and a good old sing-song, Blue Fire Theatre Company presents a show dedicated to the operatic works of Gilbert and Sullivan. From Pirates of Penzance to the H.M.S Pinafore, the show proves you need not be a die-hard G+S fan to understand and enjoy.
Written by J.J. Leppink, we’re thrown into the rehearsal room with Old Adam (played by Ed Barrett) and his pianist, James Hall.
Delicately playing the piano as the audience arrives, Hall’s main purpose is to accompany Barrett through the performance but does indulge himself in comedic moments, including a very smug tap solo.
Barrett delivers history and witticism whilst engaging with the audience as well as displaying a powerful vocal range, in key or not!
Despite the talent of both performers, one wonders what the overarching narrative was. It’s revealed as the final punchline that the awards ceremony they had been rehearsing happened last night without them, but that’s it. Barrett’s costume is tarnished, full of dust and cobwebs and his appearance is ghostly, leading you to believe Barrett could be Gilbert or Sullivan resurrected to give their final say. We learn this isn’t the case very quickly and without the programme, I would not have known he represented Old Adam.
It’s an endearing concept to have the ‘student’ tell the history of their teachers but the script is bolted into place, meaning there was no growth as the play continued. More can be done and should be done with the script.
The show ended at the Fern Studios on the 27th of August.
Review by Jade Flack
