Zanna, Don't!
Landor Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 5th June 2014
Zanna, Don’t really lives up to its “A Musical Fairy Tale” subtitle. Colourful, camp and totally unbelievable, the story concerns itself with the exploits of Zanna (played by the very likeable David Ribi), an uber-gay quasi-cupid who makes loves happen in Heartsville, USA, where the story is set. In this alternate universe, homosexuality is ubiquitous: straights are subjected to castigation and prejudice, the ‘football’ jocks worship the chess team and the pretty girls ride mechanical bulls in synchronised routines.
Musically, the show starts well, with the catchy, foot-tapping ‘Who’s Got Extra Love?’ followed by ‘I Think We Got Love’ - an enjoyably innocent duet. Sadly, it’s downhill from there, with the score reaching its lowest ebb with ‘Blow Wind’; Zanna’s ‘spell’ song where he attempts to make everyone straight, accompanied by the thumping beats of what sounds like a cheap disco backing track.
This production is strong: the design by Ben M. Rogers is simple but effective with Andrew Cox's costumes appropriately neon. The choreography is slick and dynamic but is sometimes overdone. In every other department the production makes great use of the space but Tom Scanlon has over-staged some numbers, with the stage akin to a paddling pool struggling to contain a dozen thrashing salmon.
Direction by Drew Baker keeps things moving well with an enjoyable sense of camp and tongue firmly in cheek. However, even Laurence Connor couldn’t make the over-sentimental penultimate song ‘Someday You Might Love Me’ work. If you’re going to have an imploring ‘I’ve been betrayed’ song, it should probably not be a mid-tempo ballad, with a forgettable melody, especially when it’s the dramatic pinnacle of the show.
The book, like the score, fails to convince in the last quarter of the show, condensing the conclusion and resolving the story too quickly but none of these qualms are the fault of the strong cast of talented young performers, who perform with conviction and gusto. Jonathan Wooldridge gives a great comic turn as Arvin and Jonathan Dudley has a lovely, sonorous voice.
Zanna, Don’t is a fun, bright and camp-tastic night at the theatre.
Reviewed by Jody Tranter
Zanna, Don't runs at the Landor Theatre until Sunday 29th June 2014.
Reviewed by Jody Tranter
Zanna, Don't runs at the Landor Theatre until Sunday 29th June 2014.
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