Rent at the Oxford Playhouse Review
Rent
Oxford Playhouse
27-30 January 2016
Reviewed by Deb Narciso
Rent presented by Curious Grin, The University of Oxford Student Company.
The Oxford Playhouse is located in the centre of Oxford. Oxford has a very efficient park and ride service offering car parks on all approaches to the city and the service is cheap and efficient. However, should you wish to drive into the city, parking for the evening is very easy, efficient and reasonably priced. I used the Gloucester Green car park which was less than 5 minutes walk from the theatre. The theatre itself is well maintained, although the decor is a little tired, with welcoming and friendly staff.
The Oxford Playhouse and its studio host a wide range of touring theatre and amateur shows as well as producing shows itself which it sends out on tour. This season’s brochure is well worth a browse as it contains something for all ages and tastes.
As the theatre is well positioned in the centre of the city there are plenty of choices of places to eat varying from Jamie’s Italian, Ask and several other big chains to local cafes, pubs and coffee shops. All were open and had tables available. Some of the eating places were still open after the show. I was particularly intrigued by the board game cafe!
The venue itself has a bar for pre-theatre and interval drinks with a small selection of food available – a ham or vegetarian sandwich, a sausage casserole and two different desserts. Ice cream and confectionary are also available. I arrived in time to purchase a quick sandwich from the bar which was fresh, tasty and not too outrageously priced at £3.50.
Rent the Musical celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and is a timely reminder of how much our perception of HIV and Aids has changed and how the treatment has moved on. No longer does it carry the death sentence it once did. The other themes of student poverty and meeting high rents is as relevant today as it was 20 years ago -still then, very much a musical for our times.
Curious Grin is the student company of the University of Oxford. It is made up of a collection of students from a variety of colleges and subjects. Many, according to their biographies in the programme, have extensive experience within the amateur circuit while others have had professional training and experience. This makes for a very accomplished company who act, sing and dance really well.
Georgia Figgis has directed an excellent version of Rent. A simple stage and a well rehearsed cast is a winning combination. The choreography was dynamic and well executed (particular credit to Nils Behling who moves like a professional dancer). Unfortunately some of the technical side of the performance was not quite right. The sound missed several cues leading to frustration for the audience as the whole piece is very word driven to keep pace with the plot. Angel’s death scene lost its meaning as we could not hear the words. I am sure this will be sorted for subsequent performances and should not put people off from attending.
The live band were very tight and an integrated part of the performance as they are located under the framework of the building.
Based on the opera La Boheme, Rent focuses on the lives of group of impoverish friends living in Manhatten’s East Village in the late 80’s. The main character Mark is an aspiring film maker and the musical is his account of a year in life of his artistic friends. Mark is played by Conor Diamond a very accomplished actor and singer. A few first night nerves showed initially however he settled quickly into the role and strongly led the cast through the ups and downs of the plot. As always with Curious Grin the performance level was very high and it is always difficult to single performers out. However a mention must be made of Kitty Murdoch – playing Mark’s ex-girlfriend who brought energy and drive to the stage which combined with her superb voice made her a stand out for me. The singing duel between her and Joanne – played by Annabel Reed – was spell binding in its intensity and focus during Take me or leave me. I also found Eleanor Shaw’s Mimi fragile and extremely moving and she was offset beautiful by Issac Calvin as her boyfriend Roger. Well done to an extremely talent cast I look forward to your next production.
They have 3 more evening shows and two matinees and it is well worth a visit (hoping they have their technical hitches sorted).
Top price tickets are £18.00 representing excellent value for money.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £11.50 to £18.
Rent is at the Oxford Playhouse until 30 January 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01865 305305.
Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW | 01865 305305
