Connected the Musical
Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
15:30 / 1 hour
Reviewed on Thursday 7th August 2014
★
A new musical by Craig Christie, Connected follows Emma as she joins a new school and experiences awful bullying. The show explores the lengths school children will go to in 2014, including what they will do whilst sat behind a computer screen.
Connected certainly covers an important subject but it's hard to hear the message over the bellowing rock/pop score which is performed with low quality backing tracks. Several numbers are catchy but, with a dreadful sound design, musical numbers become awkward and forced - particularly as they rarely move the piece forward. Perhaps Connected would be improved if it became a straight play.
The characters are incredibly shallow and have bizarrely random and unjustified outbursts of emotion. It's hard to pinpoint whether this doesn't work due to poor writing, directing or acting - but somewhere something has gone very wrong. It's a shame as Connected could be an incredibly powerful piece of theatre and, if done well, would be perfect for a tour of secondary schools.
The issue surrounding teenagers' use of the internet is incredibly relevant and something many know little about, but sadly Connected relies on stereotypes and fails to deliver a believable story. Further work and development is urgently required.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Connected the Musical runs at the Pleasance Courtyard until Monday 25th August 2014.
Click here for further information and tickets.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Connected the Musical runs at the Pleasance Courtyard until Monday 25th August 2014.
Click here for further information and tickets.
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