one4review | On 24, Aug 2015

I unfortunately missed this last year due to traffic issues so looked forward to seeing this extended version. It wasn’t quite what I expected but overall was very enjoyable.

Set on a train platform there are lots of good ideas here to develop. The whole work is sung through, which is where I had two issues. The first is that on many occassions I would have preferred there to be dialogue instead of singing (it came across therefore more as an opera than a song cycle) and also that there is a lack of tunefulness. The actual orchestrations are really nice, there is a lot going on there with lovely lines and coutermelodies, it’s just that the actual tunes didn’t hold the same interest to me.

The singing and acting was fine in general but not outstanding, diction could have been better and I would have liked to have seen the characters fleshed out a bit more. Mics would have really helped which is a common issue in this venue.

The simple set was very effective, I particularly like the station clock which worked and was actually set to the correct time, a nice touch.

Definately something with potential.

Review by Alan.

C too
Until 31st August
14:45-16:05