MUSICALS
**

Click community productions present Jonathan Larson’s tony award winning production of Rent this festival.

The idea of Rent which is based on Puccini’s La Boheme looks at a group of friends as they face life, love and loss in the shadow of the Aids epidemic of the 1980’s. This was also Jonathan’s final piece of writing before his death and the show imbues many of his friends with in its characters. Sadly for Click productions it’s obvious that this show is a step to far for them.

Director Audrey Tang has mixed the schools version with the full Broadway version – and also included moments from the original 1993 -1996 workshop editions which leave a mish mash on stage. It also heavily miss cast, I appreciate the effort it takes to put community theatre on stage, but the ability to sing is a must for any principal character, there were bum notes, and moments where the cast were singing completely out of time with the music. There was also an ensemble member who sang flat pretty much all the way through.

In terms of characters Ruaridh MacPhee stands out as Mark Cohen – especially given that he came late to the role to cover for someone else dropping out. I also particularly enjoyed Jamie Marks performance within the ensemble and he works really hard through a volley of roles and he doesn’t look half bad in a bra, (which incidentally made no sense what so ever). Sadly Claire Jakobsson as Joanne Jefferson comes across more as Mary Poppins with an out of place English accent an while she has an excellent singing voice she is so unsure of herself – it weakens the character immensely.

For me the crucial scene of “Cover You Reprise” following the death of Angel is the emotional sucker punch of the show – this was also the moment that it became obvious the company had little connection with the material as they raced through their 80 minute slot.

There is a good theatre company within Click but they are stretched performing Rent. I’m sure we shall see them back on the Fringe again though, as the talent is there if it’s used properly.