This Cardiff-based musical theatre MA course is a relatively recent addition to the postgraduate showcase season and is, evidently, still finding its feet.
Although the format generally coincides with industry standards, the presentation lacks the style, detail and polish displayed by those drama school courses considered to be at the top of their game. Some positive highlights include a welcome four-piece band placed stage right and a useful background television screen displaying graduates’ headshots in tandem with changing scenes and songs.
Leading a small year of only ten graduates, Melissa Moore opens the hour with a speech from Picasso at the Lapin Agile, displaying a good understanding of timing and character feel. Moore later reappears to perform in a duet of Nobody’s Side from Chess and Nothing Really Happened from Is There Life After High School? where she proves to be a confident and empathetic performer with a commercial, lyrical voice. Moore has also won several awards as part of the South Glamorgan Festival and Wales One Act Festival.
Danielle Marsh is a cute presence who seems well-suited to playing teenagers in contemporary rock and pop musicals, giving a fun performance of Blue Hair from The Black Suits. Continuing to leave a feisty mark, March later puts heart, soul (and sword) into a well-chosen monologue from Bright.
Nicola Avino is the expert’s female choice with a reliable and secure high belt voice and unique look. Unfazed by musical complexity, Avino powers through Nobody’s Side from Chess with gusto and maturity. Exhibiting a much softer approach in her acting piece, a monologue from Hitchcock Blonde turns into a well-chosen contrast. The comedy song In Short from Edges - A Song Cycle, completes Avino’s distinctive and versatile presence. Nicky Tallesin is a handsome young man with square jaw, chiselled features and a pleasant baritone. Feeling very at home singing Someone To Fall Back On from Jason Robert Brown’s Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes, Tallesin comes across equally comfortable on stage giving a speech from Gas Station Angel. Another Robert-Brown composition, Geek from 13 the Musical, shows off Sam Rabbitt in Glee/High School Musical-style and turns into the first group number of the showcase including some enjoyable harmony choral singing.
Next to Normal is proving to be a popular showcase choice this year and graduate Tom Norman gives I’ve Been his own tender and commendable interpretation. A speech from Deep Cut is a highlight as Helena-May Harrison pulls the emotional stops out followed by US native Shin-Fei Chen giving a delicate and innocent rendition of My Brother Lived in San Francisco. The hour closes with the enormously funny My Time from the musical Bunked! which turns out to be a real show-stealer for Richard Russell Edwards who leads the company as a riffing, aspiring underdog superstar. As the expert’s male vocal choice of the showcase, Russell Edwards offers a secure tenor sound with very evident top falsetto qualities. Additionally, he briefly establishes himself as the most proficient dancer of the year, effortlessly split jumping in the group choreography to I’m The Greatest Star from Funny Girl.
Despite some talented individuals leaving their mark, the afternoon ultimately comes across as an unfinished production. The entire pace is slightly too slow and pedantic, as the musical numbers in particular tend to drag. It is refreshing to watch graduates take their time rather than rushing through the hour like an episode of Countdown. However, the musical segueing and staging changes between scenes and songs are too relaxed and therefore appear rather awkward. Though no doubt useful for the repertoire, we yearn for some scenic interaction rather than applauding a continuous procession of stand-alone monologues. A general lack of energy defines this showcase as the graduates seem limited on a rather claustrophobic stage with little room to manoeuvre. The required dance element to stand out in an ever-increasing competitive triple threat audition market is also, rather puzzlingly, too absent.
Expert’s choice: Richard Russell Edwards and Nicola Avino
Expert: Agent Joanna Fell from Cole Kitchen
Trafalgar Studios, London, October 12, 2011
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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