Something rather unusual is
taking place at St Andrews Church this week. There is no swirling fog on bleak
moors, this is Luton after all, but gothic ambience is being lovingly created
behind closed doors. A world premiere, no less, and we do not get a surfeit of
those in these parts. Richard Cowling’s musical adaptation of Daphne Du
Maurier’s famous Jamaica Inn gets
the first airing of what I reckon may be many. To use my favourite, some say
tortuous, horseracing analogy the nags are either bloody or brilliant, the jockey
on top only does the steering. A pensioned off critic, sneaking in on a dress
rehearsal, has a duty in such circumstances to separate the two. I have never
read Jamaica Inn, gothic dramas are not really to my taste, but musically Mr
Cowling has done a first rate job on this one. A nag of the first order.
Collectively and individually the songs have a depth and passion which easily
engage the senses and please the theatrical heart. Especially in the first act.
I left thinking this is a work that would justify a wider audience on a more
ambitious stage. Given a few second act musical and narrative tweaks, Jamaica
Inn deserves to open its semi operatic doors again. In the interim enjoy this
first production of eighteenth century Bodmin Moor folk and wallow in the excellent
singing of Michael Niles and Ellie Turton in the central roles of Joss Merlyn
and Mary Yellan. You could have more wasted evenings. Roy Hall
Jamaica Inn
St Andrews Church Luton
Wednesday to Saturday
17th – 20th
May 2017
Box Office 07778 241457
Tickets £10 - £12
No comments:
Post a Comment