Scribblings from the Mitchy Side

Sooo I saw that Rent was showing at the local theatre/cinema in WGC and went YAY and bought a ticket for tonight's showing. Now, in my defence, I feel the theatre website was a smidge misleading. I assumed what was showing was the movie, and when I bought the ticket online, I found the details by clicking on a "Listing of All Films" link. Nothing, anywhere, really said it WASN'T the movie except for the header that said "MeMe Productions: Rent". I didn't even notice this last night when I bought the ticket.

It wasn't the movie. It wasn't even the movie of the last show on Broadway. Nope, it was a full theatrical production! Heeeee!! So no Tracie, on the downside, but on the plus side, I got to see another live performance of the show! Eeee!

And it was pretty darned good. The cast were a mix of amateurs and professionals, and the usual mix of those that could act and those that....couldn't quiiite act. But oh boy, the voices were a treat and a joy. The guy playing Collins was so good, I actually preferred him to the guy I saw on Broadway :) Natually, my eye was on the actresses playing Maureen and Joanne (played by Idina and Tracie in the film and on stage) and I have to say, they were both excellent, although I thought Maureen in particular was just outstanding. Angel, the drag queen, was played so well, I had to buy a programme to confirm that yes, the actor WAS male. About the weakest link for me was the guy playing Roger - poor chap; fantastic, astonishing voice, but his acting was so not up to the standard of the others, it was noticeable. Still, he nailed the songs to perfection.

There are 3 songs by which I judge all performances - Seasons of Love, I'll Cover You and the Maureen/Joanne duet, Take Me or Leave Me. They kicked TMOLM's arse out of the theatre, it was fabulous :D Seasons of Love was fantastic, they had a great soloist, and I'll Cover You made me sniffle like a baby :) So they ticked alllll the right boxes for this Rent fan!

My only real gripe was there are roles in the show that are traditionally played by certain ethnic groups - the song lyrics specifically refer to Mimi being of Spanish origin, for example. Even though the show has always done colour blind casting, the roles of Benny, Joanne and Collins have traditionally been played by black actors, while Mimi and Angel are usually Hispanic. This cast was, as far as I could tell, entirely white. (I was sat right at the back, so there may heve been skin tones not visible to me but the programme pics seem to back me up). Disappointing, especially as they cast outside of Hertfordshire for this show. I find it hard to believe that NO talented actors of ethnic origin could be found for any of the roles at all. But then saying that, I didn't see any non-white faces in the audience either so maybe the acting pool in Herts is sufficiently thin that they had to go by voice rather than origins. Still, it does make you wonder.

Over all, two thumbs up. Rent is a tough, tough show to do and yeh, I could point at certain niggly things with staging and performances, but I'd be mean and churlish to do so. It's a local production and has to be judged as such. With that criteria, I'd call this an outstanding production and give kudus to all involved.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go fire up the Rent soundtrack, 'm going to be singing those songs for weeks. Again :D Heeeeee!!