The Stage

Intimate History

Published Friday 6 May 2005 at 10:55 by Paul Vale

The Intimate Histories surely have to be one of the sweetest affectations of modern theatre. Performed before a single audience member, six songs are available on the menu. With every taste catered for, I chose How Music & Humour Changed Love as Johnny O’Hanlan in maitre’d mode takes the order and ushers this audience of one into a darkened foyer.

Upon entering the auditorium a spotlights hit you and a maniacal Jake Oldershaw greets you effusively and invites you to join himself and his accompianist at the grand piano. Oldershaw is outrageously charming and happily suggests that you sit rather than stand. In fact, drawing back a shift of pink voile, which surrounds the piano, he suggests you lie under the piano. A pink bed, decorated with feathers, cushions and fairy lights awaits. As I lay there, munching on the proffered Turkish Delight, one couldn’t help feeling terribly spoiled, though oddly not in the least embarrassed.

The lights dim and the company commenced with their musical tale, which examines the journey of music and romance from eastern to western civilisation. Inspired by Theodore Zeldin’s An Intimate History of Humanity, Oldershaw’s rich, powerful baritone punches its way through the Arabian Nights tale with gusto and often joins you under the piano to reiterate points of the tale. The performance over, Oldershaw pops under to take a photograph, providing a happy memento of the fact that you have been treated to one of the strangest, most intimate productions you are ever likely to witness.