If you are familiar with the Gwyneth Paltrow film Sliding Doors, you will quickly realise what is happening in this show, however if not you may have to dig a little deeper to follow Tim Firth's story set as a jukebox musical to the strains of Madness' greatest hits. This production, by Gainsborough Musical Theatre Society and directed by Greg Snape, does a great job in helping the audience to follow the convoluted storylines which collide throughout the show.
Essentially it follows the story of a 16 year old Joe Casey, who at a pivotal moment in his life is forced to make a decision and we follow each story to their inevitable conclusion. In one, Joe goes to prison for breaking into an apartment but remains a nice guy who wants to be fundamentally decent. In the other, he escapes the police but become morally conflicted and turns into a nasty, untrustworthy piece of work. Some audience members may get a little confused, but if it helps good Joe usually wears white and bad Joe generally wears black. And all whilst performing the songs of London's finest ska band. There is a spectral watcher who sees but cannot interfere, and is the ghost of Joe's reprobate father watching over his offspring urging him not to follow his path. If it sounds complicated, it is but blame the writer not the company!
Our House really is a show with a heart and this company do an amazing job in telling the story. It is bouncy, bright, vibrant and exciting. Musically, the songs work best when the audience immediately recognises the hits and under the musical direction of Simon Percy, the band do an excellent job reproducing that nutty sound. Choreography is by Devon Riley who also plays one of the lead roles and is fast and furious for the most part, brim-full of energy, but it is refreshing to watch when the dance moves slow during the tender moments. Riley and Percy along with Snape have created a memorable production.
Inn the role of the affable young Joe Casey, a fresh-faced Dion Oldridge, who has sacrificed his regular beard for the part, is a revelation. He barely leaves the stage and when he does it is mostly to change costume in stunning quick-change routines. I won't pretend that everything went smoothly in the dress rehearsal I watched, but Oldridge has 29 costume changes to incorporate and the process will get slicker and tidier without a doubt and will stun audiences when all goes well. He has a loveable quality in his performance and is a natural song and dance man in the role. Audiences will definitely be rooting for him and a happy ending. It remains a virtuoso performance, demanding skill and precision in its execution and deserves praise.
Joe's love interest is Sarah, played confidently by the talented Hannah Leaning. When Sarah has her solo moments within the show, Leaning exhibits grace and poise, beautifully delivering her song and captivates the audience. You can see why Joe is so in love with this warm and loving, gifted girl who is destined for greater things as university beckons. Leaning's dance background also shines in her performance too, making it difficult not to watch her even in the ensemble numbers.
Joe's deceased father in played by Zack Ball whose ghostly presence acts as a reminder that at the end of the day, honesty is the best policy. He portrays a father whose love for his family was not apparent in life leading to deep regret in the afterlife, but we can perhaps see where Joe got some of his integrity despite his father's record in life. Ball gives a rich and deep portrayal of the father and audiences will find his presence strangely reassuring at times rather than disconcerting.
Joe's mum, a good Irish Catholic mother is played by Kimberley Kostryka. Her caring and honest portrayal of a working class mother struggling to raise her family following the death of her husband is deeply touching and Kostryka gets the opportunity to shine both vocally and in her dancing. The maternal bond between mother and son are played beautifully and she teams brilliantly with Oldridge in this regard.
Then we have Joe's mates, Emmo and Lewis. Not the brightest sparks in the world but well-meaning wideboys who despise seeing the way in which bad Joe treats those who love him and want to see him do well. Kaius Calver-Hart and Isaac Ward appear to be having a whale of a time playing dumb throughout and Calver-Hart's dance skills certainly come to the fore thanks to Riley's choreography.
Sarah's school mates are Billie and Angie, played by Devon Riley and Emily Jenkinson. They provide the comic relief to Sarah's aspirational efforts and give the audience a down to earth perspective typical of good looking schoolgirls who know they are fit and what the boys all think of them but just don't care.
No show of this nature would be complete without a villain and that villain is Reesey, played with vigour and malice by Amy Pettit, playing so fiercely against type she is a revelation. She is an imposing presence and leads a number of songs very effectively whilst maintaining her evil focus.
Our House is a musical that requires so much energy and by the end of the show the cast are having a ball, singing and dancing with free abandon. There are some lovely cameo performances throughout and the ensemble gives a solid support to the leads in the show. I especially liked the addition of the trio of singer harmonising in a similar fashion to the urchins from Little Shop of Horrors. If you want to have a fun night out listening to music that harks back to an era of naughty schoolboys and nutty fun, get down to the Plowright Theatre this week and grab a ticket (but don't forget to pay or what happens to Joe could happen to you!)
Andy Evans. 18 June 2024.
All photography copyright Andy Evans 2024.
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