Faces
By Greg Snape
TPA Theatre Company
Terry O’Toole Theatre
North Hykeham
23 and 24 July 2022
Every now and again, I have the good fortune to see new work produced on stage. My own theatre company – Breakwater – is founded on the notion of new work being brought to the stage. Today, I was lucky to see the first performance of a new musical written by Greg Snape. The show, FACES, was being performed twice today by each of the two principal casts that have been rehearsing for the last few months in Gainsborough. For one person to write, direct and be the musical director for a brand-new show with a cast of around 40 young people is an immense achievement and I take my hat off to Mr Snape for doing so. No doubt he also owes a considerable debt to Jemma Carlisle the choreographer/Director and TPA Principal too. The dance element provides a great compliment to the dramatic side of things in this show.
FACES is a backstage musical which also features a show within a show. The basic premise is that a new musical is being staged in London for the first time since lockdown and there are lots of references to COVID and the effect of lockdown throughout. The show is similar in some ways to the classic A Chorus Line in that we see a new musical (“Black and White”) in development from the early days of audition, right through to its inevitable closing with horrible vibes, reminiscent of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s closing of Cinderella recently after the cast found out by text that the show was closing. We witness the stress and the strain brought on by stardom and celebrity in a social media induced frenzy and the harm it can do to one’s mental health. It is a story of triumph over adversity as Black and White eventually becomes the hit it so richly deserved to be.
Greg Snape has weaved together many complex threads to tell this story. His commentary of modern media and instafame is sharp and telling and a salutary lesson for us all. He presents us with two present day heroines, one representing the future and the other, the past. One is at the very start of her career and enjoying the first flashes of success and the other at the tail-end of her career having had the will to live sucked out of her along the way. It is a fascinating contrast and plays out very well in Snape’s story.
It is difficult to always follow the nature of the story as there are so many named parts and speaking roles. But the root of the story telling is solid and there are some really good tunes and excellent choreography too. I saw the Gold Cast perform in the Saturday matinee at the Terry O’Toole and was impressed by the standards of the leading players within this cast. Starring as Roxy, Harriet Hall plays the world-weary fading star who has become used to everyone enabling her bad behaviour. Roxy’s outward brashness belies the inner turmoil that threatens her very existence and Hall’s portrayal showed maturity as Roxy endures a breakdown. She possesses a strong singing voice and is a brilliant dancer. Her performance in the final routine from the show within the show is excellent and is a worthy farewell to TPA as she leaves to progress to the next stage of her own career shortly.
In counterpoint to the spoiled starlet, we meet Fay played initially as a wide-eyed ingenue by Daisy Kilmore. As the show progresses, we realise that Fay’s career is in the ascendant but without a “star name” her talent is not enough to draw people to see Black and White – the musical. Nevertheless, through sheer hard work and determination, Fay provides the inspiration to keep going when events threaten the show. Kilmore creates a credible musical performer full of hope and ambition always willing to see the good in others. Her solo song is both impressive and touching. This is a performance to be proud of.
Another notable performance was given by Anna Meyer as Flick, the director of Black and White. Meyer’s mature performance and delivery is excellent. She brings just the right amount of gravitas to the role which is difficult for a young actress to do without relying on some “schtick” which Meyer, to her credit, does not use. This is a measured and well-judged performance.
As the would-be comedian Tommy Lee, Evan Raisborough does well. He takes his opportunity to shine with his solo song about his desire to be a stand-up which he really delivers with confidence.
His is a thankless role, as Tommy Lee is the former (discarded) lover of Roxy and has current designs on fellow cast mate Coco played with energy and enthusiasm by Caitlin Hilton. Hilton is another exceptionally talented vocalist who moves well and has real presence on stage. It is difficult not to watch her, which is some achievement in a cast this size.
I also enjoyed many of the smaller cameo roles which came across well, Lily Calvert as Dakota brought a credible performance as an embittered cast member who had to struggle against the odds to make it in showbusiness and resents those who had it easy thanks to well-off supportive parents. When she blasts Fay early on for feeling sorry for herself, I really felt she meant every word she spits out at her.
I also enjoyed the duet performed by Ava and Fleur played by Martha Spacey and Sophie Wiper. Their comic take on finding themselves in the presence of the director and then offering to show her their song and dance routine is great, and these are two to watch for the future.
There were so many great min-performances by individuals that I know I will have forgotten to mention some, and I apologise for not having done so, they all worked really hard and delivered a great show. If they are not mentioned above, it doesn’t mean they didn’t do a great job, I simply don’t have the column inches to mention everyone. This is a talented and capable ensemble and those with larger parts are allowed to shine because of the support of everyone on stage and off supporting this production. I have no doubt that their time to shine will come soon enough working within this talented company. The challenging harmonies sung by the ensemble were glorious, and it is the slickness of their performance combined with the theatrical spectacle of the dance that will stay with me for some time. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this show.
FACES runs at the Terry O’Toole Theatre until Sunday 24th July. Details of TPA Theatre Company can be found on their website http://www.tpatheatrecompany.com and for further details of the work of Greg Snape, visit www.gregsnape.com
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