Review: Bare - The Rock Musical

A cult classic in its own right, Bare - The Rock Musical has a huge following of fans who have never see the show performed live - this run at the Union theatre in Southwark is the production's European premiere.

With music by Damon Intrabartolo, book and lyrics by Jon Hartmete and directed by Paul Taylor-Mills, Bare  explores the story of American high schoolers in a co-ed Catholic boarding school who are anything but the epitome of good religious angels.

Reminiscent of Spring Awakening, from the teen rebellion througout right down to the first act closing sex scene, Bare focuses on how what's wrong isn't always wrong and the exploration young adults are going to make as they move through the transition of teen to adult.

Well staged with a minimum of space,  this production definitely defied my expectations. A pulsating rock score helps the show move along at a quick pace.

The two leads were throughly believable as teens struggling with their sexuality, with Michael Vinsen as the naively optimistic Peter a joy to watch as he realises that perhaps the world isn't quite ready for him and his open sexuality.

Lilly-Jane Young was strong as Ivy, hopelessly in love with school stud Jason, a closeted homosexual. The scene in which Ivy must confront her unwanted pregnancy allows the actress to shine.

Bare is not the most original telling of teen rebellion but the cast's vigour and vitality throughout the show made up for that.

Bare - The Rock Musical runs until May 25th at the Union Theatre, Southwark. Remaining performances are sold out but check returns availability daily.

Review: The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes

Moyes’ latest offering brings a thrilling and genuinely poignant love story asking the reader to ponder the sanctity of the written word and immerse themselves in a tale of love, loss and passion.

Set in 1960’s London and transitioning to the present day, The Last Letter from Your Lover begins with a woman waking up in the hospital with no memory of her life following a car crash. As she gradually remembers fragments of her existence we learn, at the same time Jennifer does, that her previous life may not have been as simplistic and happy as her family and friends want her to believe.  On discovering hidden love letters addressed to herself she has no choice but to admit that all is not what it seems and she sets about trying to discover what her life was really like before her accident.   

Fast forward to 2003 where journalist Ellie discovers a stash of love letters in old library archives that speak to her as she draws parallels to her own situation.  Determined to uncover a great story, discover the identity of the letter writer and perhaps create her own happy ending Ellie searches for answers the letters can bring.

If happy endings were that simple Moyes would have wrapped up the story in a few short chapters.  What unfolds is a beautiful and at times heart-breaking tale of two lovers who face circumstances that they strive to control but continuously fall short, sometimes by the slimmest of margins.

Grievances on this genre of novel usually centre on the contrived nature of the plot, leading to a somewhat inevitable ending.   The Last Letter from Your Lover held none of the stereotypes associated with that, at no point did I feel the plot was being advanced for the sake of it.  The story was allowed to progress at more of a natural pace and the novel shines because of it.

Moyes has created an authentic and absorbing love story that will undoubtedly move you to ponder the exquisite beauty that lies in a penned revelation of adoration.  You’ll want all correspondence to occur this way once you’ve finished!

Review - Iron Man 3: Missing his sidekicks?

The latest instalment of the Iron Man franchise was released this week, much to the excitement of Marvel fans who had their first glimpse of an Avengers hero post the juggernaut that was "Avengers Assemble".

Robert Downey Jr. reprised his role as Tony Stark, the former playboy billionaire bachelor turned all round good guy who is looking for ways to enhance the technology he possesses following the devastation that shook NY and the Avengers.  In "Iron Man 3", he faces a new, unknown, enemy in The Mandarin – an adversary who seems intent on personally destroying the world Stark knows.

The elephant in the room of Iron Man 3 is of course Avengers Assemble, and the impact that Loki had on Stark is clear early on. During one part of the movie, a child befriends Starks and continuously asks, “can we talk about New York?” and such mentions are wholly necessary; I make no qualms about that.

Director Shane Black, who also co-wrote the screenplay  with Drew Pearce, could have not gone through the movie without referencing past events; in fact they give us an insight into Stark’s mindset as he ponders if he can really fight off another attack of that magnitude. The downfall is the continued mention and allusions to what I consider a stronger movie.  By highlighting the fact that Iron Man is in fact now alone, away from his comrades, the film is only emphasizing the somewhat bereft feeling that instead of having 5 main characters we have to make do with Downey Junior and his lesser counterparts.  Even Gwyneth Paltrow, a mainstay of the first 2 movies as Stark’s love interest Pepper Potts, felt like a damsel in distress in contrast to say Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in the hero-laden Avengers.

The strongest moments of the movie were those in which Downey Junior found himself alone, without his technology, merely having to rely on wit and quick thinking to get himself out of the tight spots.  Downey Jr. is by far the best thing about the franchise, so immersed in the character that you have to wonder where Tony Stark ends and Junior begins.  The wit, humour and self belief brought to the screen is a joy to watch.

Iron Man 3 is an enjoyable romp and fans of the franchise will revel in the lengths Stark takes to protect himself and those around him. Whilst not the best Marvel offering to  date, it will certainly satisfy appetites in the long wait for the next instalment in the saga.