Candide
Menier Chocolate Factory
Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd December 2013
The Menier Chocolate Factory has once again been transformed for its revival of Leonard Bernstein's 1956 Operetta Candide. Set in the round, Paul Farnsworth's inventive design allows the cast to glide around and in-between the audience, meaning at times heads have to be turned to see what is going on. This never becomes tiresome and adds to the excitable atmosphere. Usually when reviewing shows set in the round I find myself complaining about the cast favouring a particular side, but Matthew White's swift direction ensures no part of the audience is neglected.
Candide is a very long show and with evening performances at the Menier beginning at 8pm I didn’t leave the theatre until nearly 11pm; the production provides a long but fun evening. Candide is very light hearted and in all honesty the story is rather irrelevant, you do not have to follow it to have a great time. In short, Candide (played by Fra Fee) finds himself banished from his homeland and loses everything, including the love of his life, Cunegonde (played by Scarlett Strallen). Candide soldiers on and Leonard Bernstein has created a weird and wonderful world which leads to some unexpected plot twists.
The cast of this high quality production are phenomenal. Scarlett Strallen (pictured right) steals the show and gives (another) award-winning performance. Not only does Scarlett showcase an exquisite soprano range (she hit notes I never knew existed), but her over-the-top characterisation and huge stage presence is also spot on throughout. Scarlett’s performance of 'Glitter and Be Gay' is the highlight of the show - I have never seen anything like it, she had the entire audience transfixed. The number is utterly bonkers; it seems there is nothing she cannot do.
Fra Fee also gives a strong performance in the title role and Cassidy Janson (who returns to the Menier after starring in their first ever musical, Tick, tick... Boom!) shines as Paquette. The ensemble are sharp and bold at all times. The company numbers are exceptional, particular the finale 'Make Our Garden Grow' which features the most incredible harmonies, I felt as if I was listening to a huge choir - not a cast of 15 performing in a small off-West End theatre. When I’m at the Menier I often have to remind myself that I’m not watching a West End production (although many shows at the Menier go on to become West End productions).
I love the style of the piece which very much reminds the audience that they are in a theatre at all times. A few audience members become a little involved on several occasions which is humorous and never crosses the line to become awkward. Whilst sections could easily be cut to help speed up the long running time, Candide never becomes boring.
Leonard Bernstein's operetta (which is adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler and has lyrics by Richard Wilbur, as well as Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein) is not a Christmas show but is the perfect thing to see over the festive season. Candide is a traditional, old-school piece of theatre and I applaud the Menier for staging such a loveable revival.
Candide runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 22nd February 2014.
Please visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com for further information and tickets.
Click here to read West End Frame's recent interview with Cassidy Janson.
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