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Sedos presents
The Wild Party
Book by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe
Music and lyrics by LaChiusa
Bridewell Theatre
27 May – 6 June 2009
A review by Samuel John for EXTRA! EXTRA! In the heart of the City, SEDOS transport us to the end of the roaring twenties, a period embracing new-found modernism and indulgence. Based on the 1928 Joseph Moncure March narrative poem of the same name, it presents a tired couple on the verge of collapse, who throw a bash in an attempt to avert their arguments and draw attention away from their wilting love. A series of Vaudeville style characters descend upon them for an impromptu Sunday evening binge. The revellers’ initial style and show-biz pizzazz peel away as intoxicants ruthlessly begin to reveal their brittle egos and dark desires. A large cast, five-piece band and almost entirely sung narrative make this an ambitious project for an amateur company. Nevertheless from the offset, the cast catapult themselves headlong into the opening numbers with vitality and potency, immediately filling the space with well-executed multi-part harmonies and cohesion of movement. For periods during these introductory belters, the standard equalled that of any professional West End show. Unfortunately the main downfall of the piece was the heavy reliance on the aforementioned show-stoppers which starved the action of contrast, stillness and moments of reflection. In addition, the performance raced on for two hours with no interval, robbing the audience of valuable respite, and an opportunity to anticipate the conclusion. The plot trundled through a series of vignettes presenting the flamboyant guests one by one, as though each were its own self-contained Vaudeville act. This was a clever nod to the dying entertainment medium of the time, yet it drew focus away from the disintegrating relationships of the four main characters, who at times appeared somewhat two-dimensional. The band was joy to listen to, injecting brassy energy to the unfolding debauchery below. John Couzens fused the musicians and actors to great effect, and Gayle Rodger’s choreography was reminiscent of the sexy intricacy of Bob Fosse’s work. Chloe Faine deserves praise for her cleverly back-lit, well-directed tableaux of consumption and orgies. At times though, more physical distinction between scenes would have aided clarity in what was often a convoluted showcase of uninhibited humans at their ugliest. The singing was generally of a good standard, with Queenie (Liz Fllint), Nadine (Alexandra Oliver) and Kate (Bridget Cross) in particular displaying exceptional vocal versatility. The incestuous brothers Oscar (Paul Wooller) and Phil (Richard Ash), despite being over-whelmingly camp, were a magnetic hybrid of Parisian scat performers and Noel Coward wit. The Jewish duo of Producers, Gold (Chris Warner) and Goldberg (Stephen Beeney), made no secret of being “hungry for a hit”, embodying pure greed whilst offering much needed comic relief. “Where’s my trousers…” one of them despondently exclaimed when morning dawned. With ultimate temptations fulfilled and irreversible truths confessed, it became clear that booze and cocaine could only temporarily mask the cracks in their existences. Whilst some were able to live on through self-deception, others weren’t granted that option.
Box Office: 020 7353 3331 http://www.stbridefoundation.org/bridewelltheatre/index.html Wednesday - Saturday, 27 May - 6 Jun 2009 Saturday 30 May & Saturday 6 Jun Matinee @ 4pm Tickets £12.50, Concessions £10.00
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