For the uninitiated, the musical is a loose reworking of Puccini’s La bohème. The Paris Latin Quarter is replaced by Alphabet City, tuberculosis is replaced by AIDS and the arias are replaced by soaring rock harmonies. But whether you’re familiar with the original or not, Rent’s magic touch is that these characters are allowed to breathe on their own. Yes, they follow Puccini’s archetypes, but they are their own, racy selves.
In the hands of creative directors, Paul Watson and Leigh Barker, every aspect of this production – performance, design, choreography – has the confidence to go further than Jonathan Larson’s book (brilliant as it is). Each character is treated as the main protagonist in their own personal show, bringing out more aspects to the secondary characters like Angel and Maureen, without sacrificing the love story between Roger and Mimi. This is a family of people living together as well as the thumping extravaganza it’s always been.
To Watson’s credit, the whole cast is exceptional. Standout performances are given by Steve Simmons as Roger, Cameron Macdonald as Mark and a jaw-dropping Gemma Purdy as Maureen, each eluding charisma and vulnerability. There is also the amazing and barely recognisable Leigh Barker as drag-queen Angel, almost single handedly stealing the show (which as producer and choreographer, was already his anyway!) The tight, explosive energy is beautifully matched by moments of subtle, if weighty, tenderness and tragedy.
Brad Alcock’s stunning design is almost a star in its own right. Exploding colour and beams of light weave and dance through the staircase set, with the stainless window of the Chapel getting its own fair share of the action. If I have one criticism, it’s that sometimes the band was louder than the vocals, but this was only an occasional issue with the mix. Rent is a spectacular combination of the visceral and the aural and a timeless celebration of life.
Rent exemplifies how Chapel Off Chapel lives by its mission to present entertaining and exciting works, bringing artists and companies to wide and diverse audiences who are adventurous enough to veer off the mainstream. Although Rent isn’t itself a new play, it introduces Next Step Productions to Melbourne theatre and I can’t wait to find out what the next step is for Next Step. Do not miss this stunning show and welcome the arrival of a powerhouse new company.Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Rent
Book: Jonathan Larson
Director & Set Designer: Paul Watson
Music Director: Andrew Leach Producer & Choreographer: Leigh Barker Costume Designer: Sallyanne Mitchell
Lighting Design: Brad Alcock
The Chapel, Chapel Off Chapel
www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
9-18 January
