Review: PRIDE THE MUSICAL @ National Theatre

 

★★★★★

 

When we heard that Pride was being developed into a stage musical, we were full of excitement. The 2014 movie had firmly established itself as a firm favourite of course, a near perfect example of its genre, and we were full of trepidation that the stage experience wouldn't give us the emotional journey that Stephen Beresford's screen adaptation continues to do every time we play our Blu Ray.

 

For those unaware of the premise,  the movie and show are based on real life events during the devastating Miners strike of 1984/85 when the mining union took on the might of Margaret Thatcher's  government. Into the fray enter a London based Lesbian and Gay activist group led by Irish firebrand Mark Ashton, who having had enough of being persecuted by the same government attacking the Miners and their families, decide they are going to raise funds to help the coal workers. This leads them to contact a small mining village of Onllwyn in the Dulais Valley, South Wales.  Due to some confusion over what LGSM stands for (Lesbians and Gays Support The Miners), the town suddenly finds itself invaded by a motley troupe of queer activists who offer their fund raising support as the effects of the strike deepen in the community, both financially and for morale.

 

Stephen Beresford has wisely not tried to re-invent the wheel when adapting his own screenplay, and most of the familiar beats of the movie find a place in this new stage version.  For timing, some scenes have had to go and this perhaps ensures that the stage telling moves along with some pace.  Equally Matthew Warchus (director of both the movie and this stage version) is able to bring the stoic world of Onllwyn to the stage whilst preserving its characters and sense of community.  The set pieces of defiance against their powerful oppressor feel raw and lived,  whilst the comedy inherent in the situation as a group of proudly out gays and lesbians hit head on the quiet and conservative mining village, gives the show its ultimate balance.

The National Theatre (along with the mysterious P & P Productions of the poster) have assembled an incredible set of actors to re-tell this heart wrenching story. At the performance of the show we saw understudy Daniel Forrester had the lynchpin role of Mark Ashton, and he didn't miss a beat providing the piece with its socialist beating heart, galvanising his group into pastures new as he saw a way to help those in need. It is a mighty performance. Aiding him in the fight Matthew Durkan is Accrington's Mike Jackson, who is tasked with finding the logistics of Mark's ambitions. Courtney Stapleton as Steph is the L in LGSM, and her common sense approach when the infighting and fear start to take hold helps keep the group focused.  20 year old Bromley (real name Joe) sees the events through the eyes of a young man on the cusp of coming out, but fearful for what that might mean for his relationship with his parents. Lewis Cornay puts this over with quiet determination, and a sense he is caught up in events that he cannot, and ultimately doesn't want to, escape.  Then there is Jonathan, played by Samuel Barnett, an early victim of HIV yet surviving nicely against the odds.  Barnett is given a showstopper of a role and he makes the most of every moment,  be it reminding the town of the delights of 70s Disco or his Sondheim-esque ode to survival which is straight out of Follies at the turn of Act 2.  He is superb.

 

 

Among the villagers Matthew Woodyatt as union leader Dai delivers a showstopping moment in his song 'You Stood By Me', an anthem of unity which pervades the evening.  Much mirth comes from Gillian Elisa as Gwen, elderly mining widow and who is wanting to know something about lesbians she was told in the covered market!  She is matched in her boldness by Kirsty Malpass as Hefina, member of the strike committee and supporter of the early awkward LGSM efforts to help the cause.  Sarah Pugh is Sian James,  wife, mother and as it turns out driving force in the united actions of the two disparate factions. Yet another powerful turn. The major village opposition comes from Caroline Sheen as Maureen,  another village widower who is adamant the queer help is a smokescreen for their darker agenda.  The hate towards her from the packed auditorium is palpable, so a job well done by Sheen!  Quietly in the background Darren Lawrence is Cliff,  brother-in-law of Maureen who is hiding his own secret. Lawrence's low key backing of the movement is a joy to watch, every turn of the story telling on his face.

 

The music by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde covers a wide range of rock, disco and ballads.  To be fair, no instant Lloyd Webber style earworms but we have a feeling these tunes are growers and we very much need the cast recording so we can embed ourselves in this musical smorgasbord. The seven piece band led by MD Jo Cichonska rise to the occasion magnificently, and provide a musical backdrop onto which this story if firmly hung. A defining moment musically being the stirring and emotive anthem 'Bread and Roses' which as in the film, brings lumps to all our throats.

 

 

So in summary then, we are happy to report that Pride The Musical is every bit as vital and memorable as its screen counterpart, the perfect companion. Already the show has announced a further run at the Bridge Theatre in London and we feel that is just the start of its domination on theatres across the globe. We laughed, we cried and then we stood and cheered. We were proud.

 

Rob & Ian

 

 Further details can be found at the official Pride The Musical website 

 

 Further listening:

 

As we have said there is currently no cast recording available, so whilst we wait patiently,  have a listen to the music and songs that defined both the movie and the decade, the original movie soundtrack

 

 

Mark Ashton 1960 - 1987

 

Review: BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL (UK Tour)

 

 ★★★★✩

The current touring production of Burlesque has created as many ripples off stage than on, due to a spate of cancelled performances and delayed starts.  So when the tour breezed into Stoke on the second date of its national trek, we were eager to see if the fuss was warranted.

Based on the 2010 movie starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, the movie itself is a performance extravaganza so its not such a leap imagining the movie as a fully fledged stage show.  For the uninitiated,  it centres around Ali, a young girl from Iowa who discovers the mother who abandoned her is living in Los Angeles.  After several successful attempts to contact her by letter, she heads to LA where she discovers her mother Tess, is running a Burlesque Lounge.  Captivated by the sights and sounds, she struggles to let Tess know of her family connection.  Tess is heavily in debt and her Burlesque show is on the point of collapse.  When Ali meets bartender Jack, he invites her to use his couch as Ali has nowhere to stay. Jack helps Ali gets a waitress job at the club, and it isn't long before Ali is demonstrating her mastery of song and dance.  When Nikki, the star performer in the show, turns up late and drunk, Ali steps into the fray and becomes a sensation.  But is it enough save save the club?

The story has been adapted and truncated from the movie, and in fact the book by Steven Antin seems to forego any character development in favour of big ballsy show numbers. The musical is packed with them.  So many songs that it chokes the life out of trying to keep a dramatic narrative going.

Lighting designer Joshie Harriette is instrumental in making this show a pop extravaganza, with a light show which surely drains the national grid.  Director Racky Plews manages to keep the narrative flowing against the odds.  It has to be said though, the musical numbers are glorious.  Energy pulsates from the performers on stage as they deliver big show number after big show number.

Ryan Carter acts as a sort of MC, and Tess's best friend and costume designer Sean.  Vocally he is in great form, although we never learn anything about how he has such a close bond to Tess.  Tess herself is played by Faye Brookes, who only looks about five years older than the daughter she gave up.  Lacking the world weariness of Cher's screen version, and replacing it with diva aggression,  Brookes herself is no slouch when it comes to the musical routines, she vamps, she simmers, she emotes. Although the awkward segue into one of the biggest numbers 'You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me' robs the song of the build up it deserves. Making her professional debut Gracie O'Brien has the X factor bringing a likeable quality to Ali, a big voice and star quality. Stepping into the shoes of Christina Aguilera is a tough call, but O'Brien pulls it off. Maybe a real star in the making. Tyler Davis manages the only three dimensional character in the piece, bartender Jack, who thankfully has better dialogue than most of the cast.  His naked seduction scene in his flat is hilarious. Davide Fienauri does his best as the villain of the piece, Tess' ex-husband Vince but its panto villain territory, again no exposition to speak of detailing the path of their relationship. The ensemble are just sensational,  delivering their routines with style, panache and breathtaking energy. On this alone the show is worth seeing.
 

Most of the movies musical pieces are included in this 34 song extravaganza,  the first act particularly needs work and a quarter of an hour chopping off its running time.  The six piece band are yet another reason why this show is worth seeing.  So many elements are stunning: voices, dance, lighting, set, costumes, band...  Its a pity the book just lets it down with second rate dialogue and a rush to get to the next musical number.  

We have given the show four stars, because there were so many elements that deserved it, but if we had to judge it on the book alone it would be three at best. Burlesque is without doubt a quality product, but like the Burlesque lounge of the story, it is struggling to reach its true potential. It has to be said though that there was standing ovation for the performers at the end, which only seems fitting given their incredible commitment to the show. 

Rob & Ian

Further information on the UK tour can be found at BURLESQUE OFFICIAL WEBSITE 

Further listening:

Hot off the press, a brand new recording of the 2025 cast is now available to stream or download from all online services.