Jet Set Go!

Jet Set Go!
Take Note Theatre
Book and Lyrics by Jake Brunger
Music and Lyrics by Pippa Cleary
Directed by Luke Sheppard
Musical Direction by Candida Candicot
Jermyn Street Theatre
Closes 18th April 2009

Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for the British Theatre Guide

It’s been a while since we’ve seen some aircraft based entertainment. Not since the reality programmes about Easy Jet and Ryan Air and does anyone remember a young Alan Cummings in the sitcom The High Life?

Jet Set Go! had its premiere in Edinburgh in 2008 and has now flown into London for a short run at the Jermyn Street Theatre – hot on the feet of the extremely well received Saturday Night. Jake Brunger’s script is not by any means ground breaking; it simply follows the lives of cabin crew on their flight to New York and back and lets the larger than life characters take over.

Jet Set Go! really is as camp as it gets and it is unashamedly so. A fantastically kitsch set transports you from economy class to the cock pit to a New York City sky line and of course a good old song and dance always ensures a gay old time.

Memorable songs include “What Do You Actually Do?” “If I Could Find A Boy” and “Cabin Fever”, however Pippa Cleary’s score whilst always fun, lacks sophistication at times. Whilst more accomplished composers will weave a repeated melody throughout various songs in a score, leaving you in no uncertain terms that all songs belong to that show, Cleary’s score lacks unity and is a tad hit and miss. However any criticisms become irrelevant when you discover that Cleary is still at university and has miraculously composed this score whilst studying for her degree. If this is the quality of her work at such a young age, the future looks very promising indeed for Cleary.

An enthusiastic cast brings this production to life with Mark Evans who was seen earlier this year as one of the finalists on Your Country Needs You stealing the show. With his good looks and powerful vocals, Evans screams leading man. His subtle performance is a breath of fresh air whilst all those around him ham it up. Of course that’s part of this show’s charm, and it does require a heightened performance from some characters and boy do they deliver. John McManus is outrageously camp as Ryan as he minces about like a true queen. Amy Coombes is delightfully entertaining as the girl from “The Valley” Hayley who’s desperate to find love. In true Gavin and Stacey style she plays on the hilarity of the Welsh accent, however the character would benefit from her toning it down slightly on occasions to allow the truth of this lonely girl to shine through as she is dangerously close to spilling over into caricature. Sadly it’s too late for Emily Sidonie as Julia from Puerto Rico whose frantic performance is as up and down as the turbulence on their plane.

This is still a new show and of course it is going to have its flaws but it’s exciting to hear a new voice emerging in British musical theatre and if this is the start well the sky is the limit.

The Song Book Revue

The Song Book Revue
The Delphi Theatre Company
Camden Etcetera Theatre
17th May 2009

Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for the British Theatre Guide

Musical theatre has absolutely seen a revival in recent years thanks to the influx of reality programmes in which we the audience hand pick our cast. There has never been a lack of musical theatre performers but now there is certainly an ever growing audience to pack out not only the big West End shows but also the smaller fringe productions which showcase London’s emerging talent.

The Song Book Revue is an example of such show. Without question it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these young performers and whilst it may not be perfect that doesn’t really matter as it’s just a great opportunity for both performers and composers to get their work out there.

I said it doesn’t matter if it’s perfect which is just as well as The Song Book Revue is far from that. There are some questionable lyrics, some unmemorable melodies and some rather cheesy performances but on the other hand there are songs that show real promise and some cracking voices.

“Straits of Magellan” is a lovely narrative piece performed beautifully by Josh Boyd-Rochford and Cristin Curtin’s emotional rendition of “I Won’t Mind” by Jeff Blumenkrantz is a touching moment. However on the flip side there are also songs such as the completely unimaginative “Reunion” by S. Carlile & Linda Rocco O’Connell.

This small cast work well together even if the harmonies aren’t always spot on and it does tend to be a little sickly sweet at times. Musical theatre may not be the edgiest of performance styles but there are a little too many cute smiles and nods to each other for my liking, combined with the mystified, slightly startled expressions that spread across the cast’s faces as they look above the audience feigning sincerity.

However despite these criticisms, ultimately The Song Book Revue is a charming evening of entertainment and as worthy of our attention for spotting new talent as any reality show.