20th Century Boy, New Victoria Theatre, Woking Review
20th Century Boy
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
9-14 June 2014
www.atgtickets.com/new-victoria-theatre
Reviewed by Christine Charlesworth
Making our way towards the piano bar area of the New Victoria Theatre in Woking on Monday evening we were overtaken by a balding gentleman in his late 50’s with his wife, of a similar age, both adjusting their bright red feather boas. Turning the corner into the bar area we realised that they were not alone. All around the main bar area, down the curving stairs to the lower bars, bright magenta pink or bright red boas were draped around the necks of quite a number of ladies of a certain age and the atmosphere was buzzing. We were going to see ‘20th Century Boy – The Musical’ based on the life of Marc Bolan of T. Rex.
The story starts in America. Marc’s son, Rolan (Luke Bailey) now a young man, watches the projected footage of his father, with giant newspaper clippings showing details of the fatal car crash that killed him just before his 30th birthday. His mother Gloria (Donna Hines) bursts in and a loud argument ensues after which Rolan decides to set off to England to find out more about his father and so the background story of the real Marc Bolan unfolds.
The set, designed by Diego Pitarch, is rather drab but its versatility quickly makes up for the initial impression. It cleverly opens down the middle, a raised stage is projected forwards, or sections cross over as it turns from USA apartment to London flat, recording studio, performance stage, street scene, bar and many other venues. Lighting is excellent, particularly in the psychedelic phase. Unfortunately a large distraction for the audience was the giant size TV just below the Circle, positioned facing the stage centre with a view of all that was going on behind the set and bathing the audience in TV light.
Directed by Gary Lloyd, the dance numbers were excellent with extremely well-timed choreography, the music was great, under the musical direction of Ryan Alex Farmery, who also played Guitar 1. Some of the acting was stilted at times. Warren Sollars played an almost believable look-alike to Marc Bolan, particularly in the performances, but I felt he lacked character in his speech and mannerisms. Lucy Sinclair as June Child and Donna Hones as Gloria Jones had superb singing voices and performed well as leading ladies.
For the finale the audience was up, clapping to the music, swaying in front of their seats, waving their boas in the air and re-living their youth with great enjoyment. It was a pleasure to see. A nostalgic look behind the scenes of a music legend and a show with a feel-good factor. At Woking all week then on tour until 27th September.
New Victoria Theatre is in the centre of Woking and can be reached from the Peacock undercover carpark, where there is a large amount of parking. There are a number of restaurants either in the centre or just outside.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £12.90 to £36.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
20th Century Boy is at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking until 14 June 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7645.
New Victoria Theatre, The Ambassadors, Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GQ
