Review: Innit The Musical
Venue: The Lowry
Date Reviewed: 3rd October 2007
A young lad’s journey into a life of crime on the streets of Salford may seem like an odd bedfellow for the musical genre, but this heartfelt show gets it right more times than you may expect.
This is partly due to David O’Shea’s spirited direction but also writer Micky Dacks’ grasp on reality throughout. Ashley Thomas (Played by Paul Kelly) is such a well written and fully rounded character, that it is hard not to be involved with his plight. Kelly is great in the role bringing his character’s vulnerability to the fore, as well as a feeling of unending desperation. During the musical numbers, this gifted actor resists the urge to overdo the vocals, seamlessly switching from dialogue to song with ease.
The entire cast is excellent though, as they often double up on roles, yet they retain the energy required for the song n’ dance numbers. As Stacey; Ashley’s love interest, Laura Huxley is a far better actress than she is a singer, as her vocals lack the power needed to move you. But she has great chemistry with Kelly and their scenes are often very sweet.
Lyndsay Smith stands out as the despondent Leanne who longs for a better life. This actress conveys humour and real determination and is a delight to watch. The actors playing the gang members, who run up the steps of the studio, intimidating the audience are wonderful as they turn the stereotype on its head by the end of the show. Each of them has a natural flair for comedy, dance, and belting out a tune, making their characters incredibly likable.
The music is a mixed bag which includes SKA, pop and old fashioned musical numbers. Some tunes work and fit within the show perfectly, whilst others seem shoe-horned leaving you feeling quite awkward.
The grim storyline is never too depressing because there are lots of gags which lift the piece out of the doldrums. There are two sticking points though; one is the homosexual representation which is offensive and so dated that it tarnishes this lively musical. Do we really have to see yet another ‘hide the soap’ gay prison inmate in 2007? The other is the running time, at almost three hours- the show does need some judicious cutting as the narrative does go full circle.
Overall, The Lowry should be applauded for bringing a slice of local life to a theatre that is often seen as viewed as too highbrow by people living in Salford. The cast certainly bring some freshness and vitality to the stage, making Innit well worth seeing, despite its flaws.
- Glenn Meads
Innit, The Musical continues at the Lowry (Studio) until Sat 13 October.