Cole Porter meets Stephen Poliakoff and Adam Guettel, as ambitious musical medleys and tight tap dancing on tables lace a welcome decade-spanning selection of material presenting this year’s Guildford School of Acting MA students.
Will Pearce bursts on stage with full company, heartily belting out I Believe from The Book of Mormon. Beaming like a Cheshire cat in matching shirt and tie, Pearce is believable and commendable as the young apostle with a Glee-like demeanour. Following on, Charlotte Mason-Apps shows range and vulnerability in Charles Miller’s anthem A Girl of Few Words, while Tom Pepper gets hilariously tangled performing The Phone Call from Lucky Stiff. As the twisting cord mirrors his conundrum with the girl on the other end of the line, Pepper displays a strong sense of comic timing and engaging openness. A scene from Scripted brings the first of the acting graduates into focus, as both Jennifer Quinn and Christopher Rae deliver with kudos. Quinn is a striking leggy presence with buzzing energy, complemented well by Rae who proves to be the British version of David Schwimmer in Friends.
In a 1930s song medley, Verity Burgess proves to be the strongest dancer of the group, later returning and continuing her impact in a passionate pas de deux with Jaap van Egeraat, who stand out as the male expert’s choice in this showcase. In addition to high level dance partnering skills, Dutch native Van Egeraat displays a power house top tenor range in One, Two, Three from The Fix, his fiery presence continually evident throughout the showcase. Veering skilfully between the fine line of comedy and drama, both Cara Whitney-Phillips and Lauren Anthony shine in a scene from Anything For You. However, it is Anthony who secures her place as the female expert’s choice of the afternoon, as she effectively inhabits a sensitive, endearing side to a seemingly stiff upper-lipped character. Incorporating both lyrical and patter singing, Invention is a winner for Alia Grace, while Louise Olley pulls out all the stops and throws herself full welly into difficult belter If You Hadn’t, But You Did from Two on the Aisle.
Garry Mannion has a lovely haunting vocal quality in Legrand’s The Street Painter’s Song, while Claire-Marie Bellon gives one of the most truthful song interpretations of the showcase, pouring her heart into French classic Ne Me Quitte Pas. A scene from Surprise is an audience favourite, as cute, dimpled US-native Dexter Galang cheekily deals with always being two minutes ahead of his frustrated and fed up girlfriend, very credibly interpreted by promising comedian Elizabeth Kent. A tricky piece from Close My Eyes becomes one of the most watchable moments of the showcase, as Patrick Lenney commands attention. Teeth gritted, snarling, like a volcano waiting to explode, Lenny holds this scene in the palm of his hand, while his partner Marina Walters works well as the more outwardly verbal contrast. Ewan Goddard is absolutely hilarious as a rather camp cave man way ahead of his time - his efforts combined with the ensemble choreography make this a true highlight. Adeel Ali and Michael Robinson both handle a scene from Blind Date with aplomb, although Robinson slightly takes the edge and Ali seems most suited to screen, rather than stage work.
As the company comes together in Don’t Break All the Rules from Catch Me If You Can, led by an enthusiastic Martin Steven Charlton, it is clear that the core production team of this showcase deserve full credit. While some graduates certainly show promise, it is the expertly-tailored choice of material, detailed direction, and delightfully innovative choreography which are most noteworthy - and create the full GSA package.
Expert - Pete Gallagher, director
Expert’s choice - Jaap van Egeraat, Lauren Anthony
Criterion Theatre, London, September 29
Production information can change over the run of the show.
Content is copyright © 2012 The Stage Media Company Limited unless otherwise stated.
All RSS feeds are published for personal, non-commercial use. (What’s RSS?)
