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Barbershopera
In collaboration with and directed by Sarah Tipple
Designer: Molly Einchcomb Lighting designer: Robin Fisher
Theatre 503 at the Latchmere pub
25 Nov - 20 Dec 08
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A review by Marion Drew for EXTRA! EXTRA!
‘It seems that testosterone … has lost its home’ lament two of this barbershopera quartet in a lost moment, and indeed many familiar little bits of tunes and other titillating things wander out of their comfortable homes and find a delightful new one in this sparklingly cheeky little musical tale. Imagine a musical ‘conversation’ over a few pints in a ‘barbershop’ pub; an incredibly funny rendition of ‘Chariots of Fire’ while Toni (Lara Stubbs) is ‘in training’ for the new quartet; a rival Swiss quartet led by a 126-year-old Fabiano (Rob Castell); amorous antics of a love-lorn Hugh B. Doo (Tom Sadler) and a taskmaster turned fabulously camp Christmas ‘fairy’ (Mark Hole). Director Sarah Tipple and her ‘Crouch End’ cast transport us to the wacky world of Ljubljana on a magically silly but very smart adventure where everyone behaves not quite as expected, but with impeccable comic manners. Co-written by Rob Castell who has to have the most expressive face in London, morphing from Sigmund Freud to reindeer and everything in between, and Tom Sadler who in his own words ‘sang lower than all the other guys’, this is a little gem of a production. The fabulously clever finale of a Christmas medley propels Toni and her guys and all of us with them to new heights of barbershop delights in the Eurovision Christmas Barbershop Contest. And worthy contestants they are, with quick witty melodies and repartee, all sung in tight, technically excellent harmony and a delicious, if unusual, blend of voices. Perfect on an intimate and richly decorated stage that comes straight out of a Transylvanian fairytale this is a not-to-be-missed treat that scooped Most Promising New Musical and Best Lyrics at the Musical Theatre Matters Awards, and played to sell-out audiences at the Edinburgh Festival. So go along if you can and have yourself as much fun as this hugely talented group of songsters do. You won’t regret it for a minute.
Tuesday 25th November – Saturday 20th December 2008 at 7.45pm (please note a new start time)
Copyright © EXTRA! EXTRA All rights reserved
Copyright © EXTRA! EXTRA All rights reserved
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