Reader Reviews
State Fair (Finborough, Inner London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | The prolific Thom Sutherland is at it again. Extraordinary to think this is the European premiere of a Rogers & Hammerstein show - and in a room above a pub in Earls Court too! It's not a great show, but it's well worth staging. Yes, it's cramped in this tiny space, but the performances are great with some lovely singing and a pianist who heroically plays the whole score (almost) single-handed. Well worth suffering the stuffiness of the venue. - Gareth James | 15 Aug 09 |
| The persistent fondness of Rodgers and Hammerstein for corn-fed country settings is at odds with their gritty New York City upbringing. Nostalgic affection for the farmer and the cowgirl is confirmed by Oklahoma!, Carousel and even Ensign Nellie Forbush marooned on her South Pacific island, sings of being "as corny as Kansas in August" +++ For State Fair, we're next door in Iowa - coincidentally the 159th annual state fair starts today in Des Moines - with the slightest of plots carrying the wholesome Frake family to the fairgrounds to participate in mincemeat, pickle-making, tractor-pulling and hog-raising competitions, with the young 'uns quite naturally (or as naturally as is possible in stage musicals) meeting their romantic matches. Sandwiched as a project between the successes of Oklahoma! (1943) and Carousel (1945) R&H were clearly up against deadlines to deliver the score and script to 20th Century Fox and reused both lyrics and melodies that had either been cut from other shows, or only lightly adapted from existing songs in their repertoire. In wartime, you make do with the available material. +++ Early stage productions featured huge casts and set pieces, and even a live pig on stage. Clearly ushering a live porker up the many stairs to the tiny Finborough theatre would be impossible, but director Thom Southerland achieves a significant feat in shrink-wrapping this monster onto a weeny set with a perspiring cast of 14, for its first European production in 60 years. +++ In State Fair the principals are age-appropriate castings, unusual in pub theatre where youngsters predominate, Philip Rham credible as the hog-fancying farmer, with Laura Main carrying the most popular melodies - It Might As Well Be Spring, and It's A Grand Night for Singing - as his daughter Margy. +++ The ensemble deserve most plaudits, though, for populating the midway with a succession of comic characters. Robert Rees and Martin McCarthy were particularly engaging, McCarthy's dance routines being energetically effective on the pocket-handkerchief stage without causing injury to bystanders, and the second act opener when the whole cast play kitchen implements in an anthem to their home state is a peach. +++ Some of the lines caused unexpected amusement - "I'm aiming for a pearl necklace in the back row" missed its mark in a variety of ways, and "she's a woman who certainly knows her way around a cucumber" generated hilarity not really appropriate for this age of golden innocence. +++ It's time someone gave this talented director real money and a decent theatre to showcase his passion and understanding of the genre, since his fine versions of Call Me Madam, Mack and Mabel and Annie Get Your Gun have been seen only by handfuls of theatregoers. +++ And it's time for a revival of "Pal Joey". Are you listening, Cameron? +++ read my reviews on www.londonist.com and www.blowstar.blogspot.com +++ - JohnnyFox | 13 Aug 09 |
| Apart from an annoying reviewer sat first row stage right, the Friday performance of State Fair was naively refreshing, and well deserves the praise other reviewers have given it. It may be pocket-sized but the performances were big. - Schuttep | 11 Aug 09 |
| It's an enjoyable musical, not great, with some good cast members who lift it at various points. I thought the direction did verge on the am dram and slightly OTT at some points, but that's partly the material. I think most people who go to see it will have a pretty good time though. - Henry Jordan | 07 Aug 09 |
| PS I think this reviewer may be a little too young and inexperienced to enjoy this calibre of show. - Nick Portobello | 07 Aug 09 |
| Um... Was this reviewer watching the same show as I was..? Theo darling... there was no violin! Clarinet yes, sax yes and flute yes. But no Violin. The show was superb! Extremely well exucuted. I believe the Stage says 'minature musical miracle' and I'm inclined to agree! You must see this show! Oh... and check out the review on The Stage website it's much more accurate, in my opinion. - Nick Portobello | 07 Aug 09 |
| Their State Fair is a great state Fair! Some beautiful songs and a fantastic cast. It does feel a bit squashedf and crampt sometimes, but its wonderful to finally see this musical onstage here. Going to go and see it agin! - Helen Rush | 07 Aug 09 |
