Jonathan Larson’s gritty rock opera RENT, which follows a group of New York bohemians as they struggle with the effects of AIDS, must have a fearless cast. Not only should they be unafraid to boldly play strippers, cross dressers and drug addicts, but they must also tackle the complex harmonies and wide-ranging songs while dancing…for three hours. So it is no easy task, especially when the 2007 West End production crashed and burned as the suffering was overplayed with constant hand-holding monotony and weak characters lacking in believable identities.
However, the Central Hall Musical Society did not fall into this trap. The stage exploded into life as the entire company pumped energy laced with attitude at the audience with the first ensemble song Rent. Sarah Jordan’s choreography particularly suited the trashy bohemian style and the anger that drives the song. In fact throughout the whole production the dance moves were well designed and executed. Especially in Tango Maureen and Out Tonight where Jordan drew inspiration from the classic 2005 film production but still kept a refreshing originality throughout.
Sam McCormick, as the artistic Mark Cohen, couldn’t actually have looked and acted any more similar to Anthony Rapp from the film version if he’d tried to: thank God. With a consistently strong voice, McCormick’s nerdy character carried the show, often providing moments of humour and normality in an otherwise highly intense plot. Josh Fisher as the AIDs suffering transvestite, Angel, was fantastic. With one of the best voices in the ensemble and a skilful management of high heels, he formed a loveable character that blended well with his lover Tom Collins, who was played by Tom Jones. Jones’ impressive vocal range (especially the low notes he had to tackle) was particularly well displayed in the heart wrenching I’ll Cover You (Reprise) that was one of the most emotively poignant and memorable moments of the show. Laura Horton’s gutsy portrayal of Maureen also kept the audience captivated especially through Over The Moon, which in the film seems entirely out of context and strange. However Horton made it fit perfectly in this production as her commanding stage presence kept us amused.
Overall, director Joe Hufton and the Central Hall Musical Society produced one of the best shows I’ve seen in York. It is easy to slip up on this challenging musical but with lashings of energy and plenty of powerful performances this was one production that should have run a lot longer than three days.
Rent was amazing! Great review Jenny