Review: Rent in Concert (UK Tour) at the Hackney Empire

Rent In Concert (UK Tour)

Hackney Empire

Reviewed on Saturday 1st February 2014

Daniel Wood's production of Broadway musical Rent is back for the third and final leg of its UK Tour. Despite the production being billed as a concert production, it is seemingly a fully staged production of the show with an extremely basic set. The exceptionally talented cast do not let this hold them back and perform full-out.

Nikki Davis-Jones and Paul Ayres join Kerry Ellis and Rory Taylor in Rent Concert Tour

Full casting has been announced for the 20th Anniversary Concert tour of Rent. Joining previously announced Kerry Ellis as Mimi and Rory Taylor as Rodger are: Paul Ayres (Mark), Nikki Davis-Jones (Maureen), Leon Lopez (Collins), Ian Stroughair (Angel), Jemma Alexander (Joanne) and Kenny Thompson (Collins). 

Speaking to West End Frame during a recent interview, Kerry Ellis said "I am looking forward to the show. I haven’t really got my head round it yet as it's crazy busy for me right now, but I love the songs from Rent and the beauty of being in a concert is that you get to sing songs you wouldn't usually get to sing. I'm looking forward to working with Rory Taylor again who joined me as a guest at my recent residency at the Hippodrome. He’s a rock star and I think the concert will be great fun."