Jonathan Larson's musical about a group of New Yorkers and their struggle with poverty, Aids, life, love and each other returns to the West End exactly a year after its last run.
Director Paul Kerryson has brought back many of his previous company for the show, including the excellent Damien Flood and Debbie Kurup as reluctant lovers Roger and Mimi, and the incredible vocal talent of Mykal Rand as Tom Collins.
Last time it was former Coronation Street actor turned pop star, Adam Rickett, who provided the celebrity billing, playing Roger's flatmate and wannabe film-maker Mark. Now, he's been replaced by superb young newcomer Dougal Irvine while supermodel Caprice heads the bill as bisexual performance artist Maureen.
Those who know the show will be aware that the success of the story hardly stands or falls on Maureen's character, but it would be churlish not to rate the model's performance. As an actress she's adequate, and for one brief moment, I thought her singing was almost passable.
But Maureen is in the unfortunate position of singing her main number alongside her girlfriend Joanne, in "Take Me or Leave Me", and when the tremendous Wendy Mae Brown opens her mouth to belt out her bit as Joanne, one realises just how inadequate Caprice really is. In terms of vocal power, this is diva versus dishcloth and you can't help but wonder, not for the first time, why producers continue to book celebrity tat over sheer talent.
Nevertheless, the rest of the company is outstanding, whether in the beautiful ensemble showstopper "Seasons of Love", which never fails to bring the house down, Flood's emotive "One Song Glory", Rand's exquisite reprise of "I'll Cover You", Kurup's heartbreaking "Goodbye Love" or the powerful anthem "La Vie Boheme".
Rent is a terrific show which fully deserves its cult status, and Larson's book and score, while by no means flawless, are entertaining and provocative.
Kerryson avoids the pitfalls of over-angsting the story or veering towards sentimentality, and manages to shift seamlessly between the comic and the tragic. Karl Pendlebury's six-piece band is suitably powerful and Kentaur 's semi-industrial set is beautifully lit by Chris Ellis.
If you missed out in the past, don't miss out on Rent this time - supposedly it's last in the West End. Tremendous.
- Elizabeth Ferrie
Reader Reviews
Score
Comment
Date
I really like "Rent", but this time it was nothing but average. This performance was so loud, I really could not listen without being afraid of damaging my hearing abilities for good. As to the cast: Good (except for Caprice) but definitely not as fabulous as the first production in London I saw about five years ago. Frankly speaking, I was a bit disappointed. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (80.145.91.202)
05 Mar 03
Saw the show last night for the 6th time, but the first time without Debbie Kurup as Mimi. Krysten Cummings, her alternate, is also stunning although doesn't appear to have the same ease with Damien and her other co-stars but I think this will come with time. Caprice is still appalling, and having Jane Doyle who played Maureen last year sitting behind me made it even harder to put up with, I just wanted to force Jane on stage instead! Wendy-mae and Mykal were the best I've ever seen them, and Damien was on fine form especially considering he's had a few days off for illness this week. I'm already planning to go another few times, and I think you should do the same! You can't fail to be touched by this show if you have a heart, and it's messages are all the more poignant because tomorrow is simultaneously Rent's 7th birthday and the 7th anniversary of Jonathan Larson's(Rent's Creator) death. *No day but today* - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.98.83.143)
24 Jan 03
The gorgeous guys and girls at Rent all deserve awards...well, all the genuinely talented young theatre performers do (this does not include one blonde, bimbo model). Debbie and Damien have the best onstage relationship I've seen for a long time, and Dougal Irvine's Mark is refreshingly different (in other words, a lot better) than Adam Rickitt's last year. Everybody rush to Rent! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.98.83.131)
10 Jan 03
go celebrate. this show is amazing. powerful, alive and kicking. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (193.16.163.158)
06 Jan 03
there is a theatre god - or caprice heard me - I went to the 5.00 performance on friday 3rd january and she was not performing thank god, mimi's understudy 'krysten cummings' had taken her part, I assume she is the understudy swing! she was very good and the whole cast were very good too. Exceptional performances from Mimi, Angel and Collins and the best Mark I've seen yet, Roger is just a hunk! The theatre wasn't very full but then it was the 5.00 clock performance, it took the cast a while to get going and we who were there gave them lots of applause and it just got better and better - I had to giggle when, in the second half when they're in the street they have a newsvendor rack and the magazine at the bottom had caprice on the cover - now do they put this out when she's in the show or is the the cast's joke when she's not there?!?!?! I just keep hearing more horror stories as time goes on and that woman just shouldn't be allowed to perform.... - USER: Whatsonstage.com (80.193.222.20)
04 Jan 03
The best Rent I've ever seen. Every cast well creats own character, and there are some of original direction. (Compareing with NY RENT) I LOVE it.
THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY POWERFUL. Dougal is talented. Keep it up!!!!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (218.139.162.19)
03 Jan 03
brilliant. best 'rent' cast i've seen for years. the show in itself is amazing already, but this cast just brought the house down. caprice was totally out of place though. they should get someone else. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.154.47.70)
03 Jan 03
Love it. Love it. Love it. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (80.59.66.226)
31 Dec 02
Esciting, imaginative and amazing! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.34.8)
30 Dec 02
without caprice, it'd be a straight five stars, brilliant cast, superb chemistry between damien & debbie, wendy mae brown - wow, mykal radn the same, dougal&mig both good but not outstanding - caprice obviously miming-unvbelievable they cast her!
all in all a thoroughly good show! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.8.197.205)
20 Dec 02
No! the one work is "Excellent" - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
19 Dec 02
First time I'd seen Rent and thoroughly enjoyed it. Wonderful score. Paid particular attention to Caprice because she's come in for such a hammering, but I thought she carried off her role very well, though lacking the vocal power of some of her colleagues. There was certainly no evidence of miming. Keep at it girl!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.166.17.214)
19 Dec 02
One word describes this show - "crap" - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.49.186.66)
18 Dec 02
One word for this " Brilliant" - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
18 Dec 02
Amazing, I saw it on Saturday and was moved by this pwerful piece of theatre. The cast are all extremely talented, (Ifor one didn't hear any click tracks) the band sound amazing, the set was remarkable. Go see it and celebrate. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.93.50.8)
15 Dec 02
Quite frankly I've been disgusted by some of the things written on here about 'Rent'. To me, it is the most astoundingly wonderful piece of musical theatre in the world. Messages like "No day but today" and "forget regret or life is yours to miss" are ever more necessary as this world is seemingly falling apart. For those of you that hate it, don't judge what you don't understand. This cast is amazing (all bar one and I don't think I need to mention her name!) and in the words of another cast member, you shouldn't have to use sex to sell a show this good. If you haven't seen it, go! And if you have, go again!!!!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.98.83.21)
14 Dec 02
IF ONLY they could chuck out Caprice, this would be a 5* show! the rest of the cast is superb, the show itself is a modern american classic. Shame about the cuts they've felt necessary to the act 1 closer- La Vie Boheme. they've cut about 6 lines and changed the order of the verses- why?
Caprice is an unmitigated disaster. She can't sing, she certainly can't act, for crying out loud, the woman can't even stand properly- she shuffles her way through the show, hunched over and looking very uncomfortable about performing onstage.
GET RID OF HER! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (172.186.133.54)
14 Dec 02
Saw the show on friday night , was totally moved by it - people may say its dated but then how dated are the other shows which dominate the west end ? Rent may not be that up to date but it is a tremendously powerful piece of musical theatre. Debbie and Wendy Mae both have astounding voices , as does Mykal . Caprice is frankly awful but the rest of the cast make up for this so well that it doesn't matter - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.1.183.88)
13 Dec 02
WOW - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
13 Dec 02
Saw it last night, mind blowing, Box of kleenex needed. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
13 Dec 02
Stale and out dated... This is the most up to date musical on Broadway and the Westend, It tackles the issues of homelessness, gay issues, HIV, how up to date can a musical be. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
13 Dec 02
Lets just face it - the Prince of Wales is just a jinxed venue .... one dire musical after another ... - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.49.186.66)
12 Dec 02
Saw it the other night - what a dissapointment! The cast didn't have an ounce of talent between them. Rent has had its day .... it is now stale and out dated and the sooner it departs the West End the better. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.49.186.66)
12 Dec 02
This show and cast are amazing, Debbie, Damien and Mykal are all fabulous. Newcomer Dougal as Mark is a great find. But unfortunately I had to drop one star for the completely dreadful Caprice. It's worth seeing just for the gob-smacking awful performance she puts on - I can't believe it can be allowed on a West End stage. Seeing is believing - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.255.64.5)
11 Dec 02
When I first saw Rent during it's first London run, I couldn't understand the hype which had been built up.
Now, having seen this production, I know why. It has been transformed by a brilliant Director and an equally brilliant cast. The story line is now clearer, but still needs work, but all is forgiven because the company enjoys the show as much as the audience.
I don't know if the voices do justice to the score, or the score does justice to the voices. They are brilliant, especially the big black ones.
I was genuinely surprised by the Caprice's versatility. She isn't the best singer because the competition is awesome. She's found her niche, on the musical stage. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (212.85.7.25)
11 Dec 02
When I first saw Rent during it's first London run, I couldn't understand the hype which had been built up.
Now, having seen this production, I know why. It has been transformed by a brilliant Director and an equally brilliant cast. The story line is now clearer, but still needs work, but all is forgiven because the company enjoys the show as much as the audience.
I don't know if the voices do justice to the score, or the score does justice to the voices. They are brilliant, especially the big black ones.
I was genuinely surprised by the Caprice's versatility. She isn't the best singer because the competition is awsome. She's found her niche on the musical stage. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (212.85.7.25)
11 Dec 02
Excellent show, great to see all the old cast back (Except Adam who to be honest will not be that missed) Please Please Please bring Lucy willaimson or Helen York back as Maureen. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
11 Dec 02
I was at the Prince of wales last night and as always (Yes I am a rent head) is the best. excellent. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
11 Dec 02
Errrm something tells me the last 3 reviews were submitted by the same person, either that or these 3 people were in the wrong theatre. Damien flood and Debbie Kurup were fantastic, as was all of the cast. I do however agree with reviews about caprice, but this is still a vibrant, exciting musical which in my opinion is timeless. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
11 Dec 02
I just cant understand why it has been brought back to the west end - were they really that desperate to fill the Prince of Wales over Christmas? It's so dated now ... hopefully someone will see that and not bring it back again. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.49.186.66)
11 Dec 02
I agree about Damian Flood - charisma free I would say and it says a lot about a performer when even their click track vocal is terrible.... mentioning no names..... easy to work out though ! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.34.10.193)
11 Dec 02
Awful. Debbie and Damian couldn't act, dance or sing their way out of a paper bag. I'd give this one a wide berth if I were you ... - USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.49.186.66)
11 Dec 02
This is the best musical in the world. Debbie is fab, Damien superb, Mykal wonderful, Wendy georgeous and the rest of the cast bar one (Caprice) excellent. Long May Rent Rule. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (149.254.120.136)
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