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The Rondo Theatre, Bath
Saturday 21stJuly 2018
I have been very interested by conversation on Facebook over recent days demanding more ‘honest’ reviews of amateur theatrical productions, one protagonist saying that they would like reviewers to be ‘harsher’, said protagonist playing a leading role in this production…. It was with this in mind that I drove the hour or so to the Rondo to see ESL’s latest offering Disenchanted. This was ESL’s second outing with the Dennis T. Giacino show, reprising the success of last year. I have a great deal of respect for the work of director Ali McCausland and having missed the previous run I was fascinated to see what the fuss was about, and be ‘harsh’.
Disenchanted is a ‘take’ on the Disney/Fairytale Princesses. Presented as a ‘cabaret’, hosted by Snow White, The Princesses are fed up with their ditsy, mindless, sexualised images: They bemoan their bosoms as the fantasy of the frustrated male cartoonists who drew them, they complain about the accuracy of their back stories and having to eat nothing to maintain their shape. Feminism is clearly featured but for me, it was all a little light. Yes there are several funny moments but I’m not sure that the show fully delivers on its very clever, initial premise. The music is pleasant enough without being terribly original and the dialogue is decent enough but relies on a cast performing the hell out of it and some of the written characterisations were just a little odd. Why was the Little Mermaid quite so ‘trailer trash‘, for example? I felt that nothing went quite far enough. I liked the show but didn’t love it: too many opportunities missed by the writer.
Performances were what saved the day. This is a very talented group of women: make no mistake. From the opening of One More Happ’ly Ever After Leah Farmer, as Snow White showed her effortlessly excellent vocal talent, gift for comic timing and indefinable watchability. Rachel Bosomworth (I am desperate to make a very male comment regarding names- sorry) as Cinderella was a great foil to Leah’s Snow White: great singing, timing and connection with the audience. Louise Couzens’ narcoleptic Sleeping Beauty had great, comic physicality and strong vocals. Sam Thorpe as Hua Mulan, Pocahontas and Princess Badroulbador brought a slightly gentler approach, her lovely voice working very well indeed for the quite touching Secondary Princess. Natasha Tara Green brought all of the sass and shimmy I have loved in roles like Motormouth and Deloris van Cartier as The Princess Who Kissed the Frog. For me though it was Jane Morgan who stole the show as the foul-mouthed and drunken Belle and the fantastically Teutonic Rapunzel, in a very strong cast her timing, remarkable vocal range and splendidly delivered swearing just had the edge.
Technically the show was very well delivered. Sound, absolutely crucial in a show depending on the audience hearing every word, even the occasional, whispered expletive, was exemplary. The balance between vocals and accompaniment was equally good. Musical Director Lauren Davies, hidden off-stage most of the time but resplendently costumed as Elsa from Frozen for the moments we did see her, had clearly worked the cast hard as, in terms of musical delivery the show worked very well indeed. Choreography was, as would be expected in the small space of the Rondo’s stage and with a small cast, not of the Busby Berkley School but was well-considered, added to the comic feel and was well danced. Rachel should be pleased. As ever, with an Ali McCausland show there was a clarity and precision to the direction: Neat, tidy and never missing an opportunity for a small gesture to add to the comedy.
All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my evening with ESL. Yes I was a little disappointed in the show, feeling that it couldhave been brilliant but I was certainly not disappointed with the Production. Harsh? Well, with great performances like those I enjoyed last night (there really was no weakness) it is very difficult to be harsh in the face of such genuine talent – sorry (!).
I look forward to your next outing with great anticipation
Thanks for inviting me