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RENT - Review by Stacey Goodwin

21/11/2018

Comments

 
​I have seen many different productions of Rent, both professional and amateur, in the past, including the movie, and it's definitely one of my favourite shows to go and watch for it's passionate and provoking story line. I was excited to see how the cast of Redcliffe Musical Theatre's production would approach the show and I have to say that they did not disappoint.

​​From the moment you walked into Theatre 102, which was the perfect venue to put on this production, I felt like I was transported back in time and living on New York's Lower East side along with Mark and Roger. The set was big and industrial and impoverished – everything a Rent set should be. Already knowing the story line I found it a great technique to leave the curtains open and allow the audience to get a feel for the set before the action started to allow us to immerse ourselves into the scene from the get go.
 
From the minute Mark (played by Jonathan Sweeper) walked out on stage with his camera and started telling his story I was captured. Every actor on that stage, including the ensemble, committed to their character 100% throughout the whole show and delivered some powerhouse performances worthy of any stage.
 
All the leads gave outstanding performances but for me special mention must go to Jesse Ainsworth (playing Roger), Zac Crisan (who played Angel) and Erickson Illustre (playing Tom) who stole a bit of piece of my heart as the show went on. Ainsworth's rendition of One Song Glory gave me goosebumps and I'll Cover You between Angel and Tom was a definite highlight of the show.
 
The relationships between all the characters were believable and there was genuine chemistry, compassion and maturity in their acting that meant you couldn't help but feel their emotions along with them. And, by the time we got to the I'll Cover You reprise I was sitting in the audience sobbing like a baby as I was overcome by emotion (as was the whole audience) – little word for the wise, if you go see this show pack tissues, you will need them.
 
Tying it all together was the musical direction of Helen Drew, and the amazing four piece band who we got to watch in action throughout the show. Having the band form part of the set simply added to the effect of a crowded New York City where creative artists are struggling to survive.
 
The lighting and costumes added to the story and the direction of Madeleine Johns gave the show a free-flowing more realistic feel, which really worked.
 
Do yourself a favour and go see this show before the season ends. It will make you think, it will make you cry but most of all it will remind you that there is "No day but today".
 
Review by Stacey Goodwin
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  • Home
  • What's On
    • Night of the Poms
    • Bonnie & Clyde
    • Cosi
  • About
    • Sponsors
    • Venues
    • Contact
    • History/Committee
    • Roar Academy
    • Membership
    • Community Giving
    • Code of Conduct
    • Privacy Policy
  • History
    • 2023 >
      • Turn up Your Radio 2023
    • 2022 >
      • Mixed up Movies
      • Oliver!
      • Turn up Your Radio 2022
      • Beatles Unplugged
      • Priscilla
    • 2021 >
      • Into the Woods
      • All Together Now
      • Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor
      • School of Rock
      • Jersey Boys
      • Next to Normal
      • Mamma Mia!
    • 2020 >
      • Lord of the Flies
      • Captain Moonlite
      • Minefields and Miniskirts
      • Break Free
      • Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor
      • TIMELESS
      • Home for Christmas
      • Turn up Your Radio 2020
    • 2019 >
      • 2019 Showcase
      • Nunsense
      • Born in the USA
      • Chicago High School Edition
      • Pride and Prejudice
      • Unforgettable
      • We Will Rock You
      • Downtown
      • Turn up Your Radio 2019
    • 2018 >
      • Rent
      • We Will Rock You
      • Soultown
      • Heathers
      • Downtown
      • The Proposal
      • Turn up Your Radio 2018
      • Charlotte's Web
    • 2017 >
      • Addams Family
      • Murder on Record
      • RMT Will Rock You
      • Agnes of God
      • Once Upon a Serial Killer
      • Rokky Horror Tribute Show
      • Back to the 80's
      • Turn up Your Radio
    • 2016 >
      • Naughty Night of the Poms
      • Wicked
      • Beauty and the Beast
      • Mary Poppins
    • 2015 >
      • Born in the USA
      • Music of the Night
      • Grease (Youth)
      • Saturday Night Fever
      • Music of the Night
      • Love, Loss and Luxury
      • Turn Up Your Radio
    • 2014 >
      • The Wizard of Oz
      • JC Superstar
    • 2013 >
      • Phantom of the Opera
      • Little Shop of Horrors
      • A Night of the Poms
    • 2012 >
      • Grease
      • The Pirates of Penzance
      • Singing in the Rain
    • 2011 >
      • Oliver!
      • Joseph and the TD
    • 2010 >
      • The Sound of Music