Forget regret – Rent at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre is a show you don’t want to miss!
Inspired By Theatre takes on Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking rock musical, which follows a year in the lives of a beautifully diverse group of individuals navigating love, loss and identity in New York’s Alphabet City.
Set in the wake of the first wave of the AIDS epidemic, the story captures the personal and societal battles faced by these complex characters as they traverse the highs and lows of friendship and community.
Rent is at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre from Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 April.
Themes of life and death hang heavily over this artistry, intensified by the real-life tragedy of Larson’s sudden passing on the day of Rent’s first preview, unable to witness the impact of his own creation. And impactful is certainly the word for this production; the cast should be extremely proud of how authentically they conveyed the show’s heart.
After a steady opening, this production found its rhythm when the music too came to life; as the rocky pulse of ‘Rent’ kicked in, the stage erupted with talent and revealed the company’s strength in numbers. This ensemble’s energy was showcased again and again, especially in act one’s finale ‘La Vie Bohème’ where choreographer Freya McIntosh’s creativity shone.
Larson’s score is certainly no easy feat, but the band, led by musical director Matthew Peter Clare, left no room for errors as they were placed proudly onstage. A clever decision by the creative team, enabling the music to add drive and intimacy to the narrative, as if it were an active character in its own right.
Casting was a highlight across the board. Iain Harvey and Dan Poppitt brought authentic chemistry and excellent harmonies as our roommates Mark and Roger. Joseph Hayes as Tom Collins offered vocals smoother than butter, whilst Fen Greatley-Hirsch captivated us as our sweet Angel. Mikhail Lim portrayed a layered Benny, Jess Gardham was our perfectly stoic Joanne and Gi Vasey’s portrayal of Mimi deepened beautifully as the show progressed.
But the talent extended well beyond the principal cast. Each performer brought something unique to the stage. Special mention must go to Lucy Plimmer-Clough, who delivered exceptional vocals in the much anticipated ‘Seasons of Love’. Director Dan Crawfurd-Porter and his team should be proud of the high standards achieved, with moments reaching near-professional polish.
So how did Inspired By Theatre manage to transport us in and around 1989 New York City? With a static set, they used a variety of versatile levels to cleverly depict each setting. Whether the four walls of the infamous apartment to Maureen’s performance venue, an arena for chaos.
Whilst there were a few technical hiccups with microphones and sound imbalance, I felt the overall use of tech was well thought out and restrained, something not always so well managed with Rent. I particularly appreciated lighting designer Daniel Grey’s creative decisions, enabling intimacy to be found even in the sparsest of stages or the framing of characters bringing emphasis to their powerful solos.
Crawfurd-Porter described this production as a labour of love, and it shows. He and his team have delivered another well-executed classic to York, and I for one am excited to see what inspiring production they offer up next.
There’s no day but today, grab your tickets here for this poignant portrayal.
Rent is at Joseph Rowntree Theatre until Saturday 12 April. Tickets are £19.