Valley Of Song
Finborough Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 14th January 2014
The Finborough Theatre have staged Ivor Novello’s very last musical, Valley of Song, for just a few performances as part of their returning 'Celebrating British Music Theatre' series. This is actually the world premiere of Valley Of Song as it was left unfinished by Novello at the time of his sudden death in 1951 (at the age of 58) and completed by his long-time collaborator Christopher Hassall.
The production is performed by a mostly strong cast and is injected with brightness and charm, although at times the show is almost too nice which proves rather irritating. Set in The Welsh Valleys (Novello's homeland) during 1913, Valley of Song is described as 'a homage to Wales'.
In short David (Linford Hydes), the valley's choir master, loves his leading soprano Lily (Katy Treharne) who, when asked to sing in Venice, (seemingly) falls in love with Ricardo who wants to make Lily a star... as well as his wife. Keeping up? Nan Brewster (Sandy Walsh), the largest landowner in the valley, eventually susses out Ricardo’s true intentions and confronts him in an almost scooby-doo like manner. Upon his exit I was half expecting Ricardo to blurt out "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids." Lily vows to never sing again and David goes off to war.
I won't give away the rest of the plot, but thankfully Valley Of Song does eventually go somewhere and becomes slightly darker prior to the climax. Will war get in the way of David and Lily's love? Will Lily ever be able to bring herself to sing ever again?
The show is stolen by (West End Frame Award winning) Katy Treharne as Lily who has such a beautifully stunning voice. To hear a soprano perform a score so effortlessly and crystal clear in such a small space is something very special. There is a subtle quirkiness in her performance which shines through.
Novello’s score may feature a handful of fantastic songs, both sincere ballads and fun company numbers, but it isn't his finest. At times the staging becomes frustratingly static. Most scenes see the actors standing in a straight line reciting their lines, I wanted the piece to really come alive as it is clearly written with such passion!
The Finborough Theatre never fails to amaze me, every time I see a production the performance space has been completely transformed. The stage may be small, but Sally Brooks' choreography never feels squashed. Valley Of Song is a very nice show and this production provides a very rare opportunity. It's not every day one attends the world premiere of an Ivor Novello musical.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com
In short David (Linford Hydes), the valley's choir master, loves his leading soprano Lily (Katy Treharne) who, when asked to sing in Venice, (seemingly) falls in love with Ricardo who wants to make Lily a star... as well as his wife. Keeping up? Nan Brewster (Sandy Walsh), the largest landowner in the valley, eventually susses out Ricardo’s true intentions and confronts him in an almost scooby-doo like manner. Upon his exit I was half expecting Ricardo to blurt out "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids." Lily vows to never sing again and David goes off to war.
The show is stolen by (West End Frame Award winning) Katy Treharne as Lily who has such a beautifully stunning voice. To hear a soprano perform a score so effortlessly and crystal clear in such a small space is something very special. There is a subtle quirkiness in her performance which shines through.
Novello’s score may feature a handful of fantastic songs, both sincere ballads and fun company numbers, but it isn't his finest. At times the staging becomes frustratingly static. Most scenes see the actors standing in a straight line reciting their lines, I wanted the piece to really come alive as it is clearly written with such passion!
The Finborough Theatre never fails to amaze me, every time I see a production the performance space has been completely transformed. The stage may be small, but Sally Brooks' choreography never feels squashed. Valley Of Song is a very nice show and this production provides a very rare opportunity. It's not every day one attends the world premiere of an Ivor Novello musical.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com
Valley Of Song runs at the Finborough Theatre until Saturday 25th January 2014.
Please visit www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk for further information and tickets.
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