Treason The Musical, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by J Wright
Everyone learns about the failed gunpowder plot in primary school. James 1st, a Protestant king was less than favourable to Catholics. An assassination plan was created to take down the king and parliament and begin the uprising of Catholicism. Some then go on to learn that Guy Fawkes was really a patsy in a more intricate storyline.
We can see this quite obviously in this musical theatre production where Fawkes is a narrator because actually his part in the production is so small, diminishing even more how much he did participate. We don’t learn about his journey to this end, but those of the activists; Thomas Percy, Robert Catesby, the Wintour brothers and John Wright. The focus is primarily on Thomas Percy. Sam Ferriday in the role is superb in depicting a man unsure of himself and who soon grows in his resolve. We can empathise with him and his motivation is clear.
We know Catesby was a leader in this plot but this is less evident in this production and the strength of vocals and story arc remains with Percy/Ferriday.
The production being created in the 21st century can’t help but be afflicted by 21st century influence, indeed the opening evening in Sheffield was plagued by technical faults. However, there are many other areas where we are faced with 21st century attitudes which are rather asynchronous with history. Notably it seemed the role of women in all of society in 1605 was entirely bypassed and we see strong female roles with an inference of responsibility or power.
To give them their modern due they performed with some cracking vocals, particularly Emilie Louise Israel as Anne Vaux.
Joe McFadden, known from TV is in the role of King James. There’s a role of comic foil here but it doesn’t quite sit right beside Oscar Conlon-Morrey’s Robert Cecil. James’ descent is mollified by humour which rather steals from the potential to create themes of supernatural foreshadowing to put the audience at the edge of their seats.
There are other moments lost to poor blocking and multiple unnecessary set and prop movements. There’s an ensemble who dance very literally and with some really random movement at times which draw away from the true action and some of the powerhouse vocal capacity and real moments of emotion on the stage. There’s also Alfie Richards in the role of Robin Wintour who looks exactly like the drawings we see of Guy Fawkes. But he’s not Guy.
It all makes for a perplexing show which feels like it’s about 25% short of its true production value.
It has all the ingredients of a Hamilton like capability but disappointingly it falls short.
The set and the lighting work harmoniously to create some awesome visual scenes. Jason Taylor who designed the lighting has much to be proud of, his work sets the scene often and illuminates the beautiful set and changes the dynamic. Philip Witcomb who designed both set and costumes also deserves recognition. It’s easy to appreciate the costumes in amongst the sometimes grandeur and sometimes more simplistic environment, wonderfully woven together.
I especially enjoyed the scene where the plotters are rowing down the Thames, that scene along with the song make for wonderful theatre. It is engaging and impactful.
The team behind the show have the ambition to get the show into London and close to where some of the action took place. I’d love to see it again with some reworking to collect the gravitas James 1st needs and iron out the issues.
Unfortunately the end of the show is a damp squib, we know how it ends of course, history taught us all that. I like how the events are woven with some current political unrest and the more idealised concept of the power of the people. But still this is a musical and should go out with a bang – perhaps not literally in this particular case!
Tickets are still available at https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/treason-the-musical/dates or on 0114 249 6000
Rating: 3.5/5