☆★★★★It’s
Only Life – A magical musical melange
I was not aware of the work of John Bucchino until Katy Lipson
announced her new production of It’s Only Life at the Union Theatre. The show
conceived by Bucchino and Daisy Prince, daughter of Broadway legend, Hal Prince.
I mention this as the music and lyrics in It’s Only Life has a strong
Sondheim-esque quality. One can only
imagine the influence of Stephen Sondheim on Daisy Prince growing up, when your
Dad is Hal Prince and one of his most significant collaborators – Follies,
Company, A Funny Thing, Merrily We Roll Along.
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| John Bucchino and Daisy Prince |
It’s Only life can be best described as an intimate, stylish
revue featuring Bucchino’s work and is summed up as, ‘about longing,
fulfilment, loss, triumph and ultimately wisdom’ – all good musical theatre
staples. The New York Times goes on to
say, Bucchino’s ‘flowing, finely made piano ballads describe an urban life in
which relationships come and go in cycles of yearning, fulfilment, heartbreak
and healing’ – where romantic love is anticipated with ‘high expectations, high
anxiety and open hearts’ – and who am I to argue?
What I will say, is that director, Tania Azevedo, has created a
beautifully elegant, gentle, tightly-controlled and immersive (if you take to
the on-stage beanbags) production, with inventively-relevant
choreography by William Whelton and set within Justin Williams and Jonny Salt’s
sugar almond-coated set – a true pastel paradise.
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| Noel Sullivan, Will Carey, Sammy Graham, Jennifer Harding, Jordan Shaw |
But enough of the fluff, the five-strong cast is led by Noel
Sullivan, Jennifer Harding and Jordan Shaw (recently in Sondheim’s Follies at
the NT) and two professional debutants, Will Carey (Stephen Sondheim Society
Student Performer of the Year 2018 finalist) and Sammy Graham. The ensemble
seemed to be totally enjoying themselves and performed with great finesse and
style. Noel Sullivan’s vocals were outstanding, and Jordan Shaw is an immensely
watchable and magnetic performer.
Sadly, my only criticism of the entire production is the poor
sound quality. With a production that boasts witty - I did catch the Sondheim name check - intelligent lyrics, it is a
given that you must be able to hear them clearly and easily. Sadly this is not
the case.
I would add that this production has lighting design by Clancy
Flynn that features more kit than I’ve ever seen in such a small space. Perhaps
less might have been more, and some of this budget might have been more
usefully and productively spent on appropriate sound design!
It’s Only Life is nevertheless a charming, striking, stylish
piece of musical theatre performed with great verve and chic by a
super-talented ensemble.
Brava Katy Lipson too for bringing it to a London audience!
Brava Katy Lipson too for bringing it to a London audience!
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| Katy Lipson enjoys an onstage beanbag! |
CAST
AND CREATIVES
Cast
Will Carey
Sammy Graham
Jennifer Harding
Jordan Shaw
Noel Sullivan
Creatives
Creatives
Director
Tania Azevedo
Musical Director
Nick Barstow
Choreographer
William Whelton
Designer
Justin Williams/Jonny Rust
Lighting Designer
Clancy Flynn
Producer
Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment
It’s
Only Life plays at London’s Union Theatre from 13th June - 7th July 2018
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