Rooms
Finborough Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 25th April 2013
Reviewed on Thursday 25th April 2013
Finborough Theatre's production of Rooms is a groundbreaking fringe production. I have never seen such an electrifying show in such a tiny theatre. One may presume that larger venues are more suited to loud rock musicals but the intimate setting of the Finborough Theatre allows the cast of two to get right up into the audience members' faces, I have never experienced anything quite like it.
Unfortunately the storyline of Rooms is a little weak. It takes us back to the Seventies when punk rock was huge. The story follows both the professional and personal relationships between Monica (an ambitious Jewish singer-songwriter) and Ian (a reclusive rocker) as they travel from clubs in Scotland to the top of the charts... and back down again.
It is safe to say Alexis Gerred and Cassidy Janson blow the roof of the Finborough Theatre with their exceptional vocal talents. They both give superb portrayals of their characters' journeys. I was particularly impressed by Cassidy's performance, she had me in stitches during the funnier scenes and then she really pulled at my heart strings during the more tender moments of the piece. She also reminds us she is an ex-Elphaba as when she hit the big notes, shivers were sent straight down my spine.
Some of the script is poorly written and doesn't really go anywhere, I wanted more. However, the true emotion comes from Paul Scott Goodman's score which is mind-blowing. The music expresses so much and Alexis and Cassidy perform it so passionately. For this I forgave them for the Scottish accents which were a little wobbly in places (I am sure they will improve over the course of the run).
Rooms is an extremely exciting production and if you are passionate about music you will fall in love with this show. A mention must also go to the on-stage band featuring Mark Warman, Ollie Hannifan, James Gale and James Pritchard who are all exceptionally talented musicians. Rooms is crying out for a cast recording to be made. This may be the first time Rooms has been seen in London, but I do not think it will be the last...
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Rooms runs at the Finborough Theatre until Saturday 18th May 2013.
Please visit www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk for further information and to book tickets.
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