Review Round-up: Will New London Imagine a Hit? Date: 20 November 2008
Critics got their first view of the new so-called “Holocaust musical” Imagine This last night (19 November 2008, previews from 4 November) at the West End’s New London Theatre (See Today's 1st Night Photos), returning to the venue where they so mercilessly assailed Trevor Nunn’s Gone With the Wind earlier in the year (See Review Round-Up, 23 Apr 2008).
First seen in a tryout last summer at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, Imagine This, which is currently booking until 28 February 2009, revolves around a group of Polish actors in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942 who stage plays to inspire hope and optimism within the Jewish community. However, with rumours of the Final Solution in the air, their play merges with the reality they are trying to escape and a dramatic love story unfolds.
Imagine This has music by Shuki Levy, lyrics by David Goldsmith and a book by Glenn Berenbeim. It’s directed by Open Air artistic director Timothy Sheader and designed by Eugene Lee, who won both a Tony and a Whatsonstage.com Award for Wicked, with choreography by DV8’s Liam Steel. The principal West End cast features Leila Ben Harris, Simon Gleeson and Peter Polycarpou, who reprises his role from the Plymouth run (See News, 26 Aug 2008).
For most overnight critics, the attempt of Imagine This to find hope in the Holocaust was beyond the stretch of their collective imaginations. This morning’s reviews contained an almost universal theme – that despite director Timothy Sheader’s best efforts and some “valiant” performances from the cast, the show hit a dud note due to its “historically false” and “morally dubious” depiction of the Warsaw ghetto. There were some positives amid the gloom, notably the “stoic dignity” of Polycarpou and the “soaring anthems” of Levy and Goldsmith (even if their “trivial” lyrics came in for some heavy criticism). But overall it looks as if the New London is suffering a serious case of déjà vu.
Michael Coveney on Whatsonstage.com (one star) – “The major problem here is that once the situation of fierce resistance is established, there is nowhere for the characters to go except towards the exit. Timothy Sheader’s resourceful and often effective production attempts to create light and shade in deals with the Nazis, hints of betrayal and the shocking business of an informant bartering a fur cloak, sleeping with the enemy and being shot in the back for her pains … The music and lyrics of Shuki Levy and David Goldsmith, while neat enough in a mediocre way, never rise to the impassioned authenticity of their obvious example in Les Miserables. Polycarpou does his level best to hold the show together, and wins a round with his dark night of the soul (with Jewish jokes) number, ‘The Last Laugh’ … But this is to accentuate the positive in an engulfing sea of negative.”
Michael Billington in the Guardian (two stars) – “They said it couldn't be done: a musical about the Warsaw ghetto. And, now that I've seen it, I know that they were right … In attempting to dovetail the stories, Glenn Berenbeim's book creates more problems than it solves. It not only depends on a grotesquely improbable love affair between Tamar, daughter of the Masada leader, and a Roman general. The basic premise also beggars belief - it is hard to credit the Nazis would sanction a show about Masada even though they are assured, ‘It's got singing, dancing and all the Jews die in the end’. And the musical, far from the rough-and-ready spectacle you would expect with minimal resources, turns out to be a surprisingly well-equipped show up to West End standards … The best one can say is Timothy Sheader stages the grisly event with fluidity. Peter Polycarpou lends the actor-manager and Masada leader a certain stoic dignity, and Leila Benn Harris and Simon Gleeson do all they can as the unlikely love interest.”
Charles Spencer in the Daily Telegraph (three stars) – “At one level, the show strikes me as not bad at all. There are big soaring anthems, a strong love interest and a plot that undoubtedly grips. The production values, though far from extravagant, are effective enough, and though there are no star names, the performances are impressive … Imagine This has a certain integrity about it. Except, of course, for one inconvenient, incontrovertible and unpalatable fact – this is a musical that attempts to turn the Holocaust into entertainment. It resorts to fiction to make unimaginable horror more dramatically interesting … The moment when a comic Christian starts singing on his cross moves us alarmingly close to Life of Brian territory, and for all the strengths of its execution, Imagine This must finally be judged a manipulative and morally dubious show. In the present harsh economic climate, however, it is unlikely to trouble the West End for long.”
Benedict Nightingale in The Times (two stars) – “Imagine This? That’s the title of a show that involves Jewish actors performing an inspiring play in the Warsaw Ghetto; but it also comes across as a mix of command and plea. And, sorry, no can do. Last night Glenn Berenbeim’s book began by making me feel my imagination might take fire, only to douse it with the sort of formulaic nonsense it has resisted a zillion times before … I should have been warned by lines such as (to Daniel): ‘In a ghetto full of misery, only you can come down with a bad case of optimism.’ That clunkiness never goes and it’s accompanied by a major loss of nerve on everyone’s part … Shuki Levy’s score can handle the sad or upbeat, notably in a soaring title song that claims that only imagination can free the oppressed. But it never has the minor-key harshness the situation demands. And what of the number involving undulating belly dancers and prancing Roman soldiers? That’s something nobody should have imagined.”
Nicholas de Jongh in the Evening Standard (two stars) – “I am afraid a bad-taste warning needs to be attached to this unfortunate new musical. The talented director Timothy Sheader and his team of ardent, forceful actors and dancers are not to blame. They struggle valiantly to rise above the offensively banal, soft-pop music that limps in train with the fatuities and ineptitude of David Goldsmith’s trivial lyrics … An attempt is made to raise audience morale, encouraging people to leave the theatre in a modestly feelgood state. Yet to strike these musical notes of defiance is historically false … It would have been more dramatic though if Imagine This had concentrated upon Warsaw and had removed the unconvincing plot-line that involves Peter Polycarpou’s authoritative Jewish leader in a campaign to convince his actors they should kill themselves rather than become Nazi stooges. In any case, the music and songs of Imagine This never do justice to its terrifying theme.”
I'm really upset that this musical has closed. I really wanted to see it after hearing the soundtrack. There are so many revivals on at the moment that are not that different to the originals. It's a shame that new material cannot last longer than a month! Looks like I'll have to wait for a touring version! - Paul
12 Jan 09
Thanks critics for ruining yet another west end show. If I had my way I would ban you all and leave it to proper money paying theatregoers like myself to make our own minds up.It's obvious that the new revivals coming up-Oliver and Sunset will get 4 or 5 stars due mainly to the'Big Guns'being involved and not on the endevours alone.Please stay at home on opening NOT press nights in 2009 and do us all a favour PLEASE.
Mick Fiddler,Preston Lancs. - Mick Fiddler
14 Dec 08
Saw it last night. Fantastic!
Go and see it, you'll be sorry if you don't. - J Langer
04 Dec 08
Yet again the critics are ridiculously harsh, and largely seem to have missed the point of this show. It is not supposed to be a history of the Holocaust or the Warsaw ghetto. It is in essence a tragic love story, but one also of hope and integrity and doing the right thing. It has some incredibly moving songs, a very clever 'play within a play' storyline, an excellent cast, and a fascinating stage- which had me captivated, looking at every minute detail, for most of the interval. GO AND SEE IT AND PROVE THE CRITICS WRONG. - D Carpenter
24 Nov 08
Following my audience review on 6th Nov which appears on W.O.S readers reviews page,I must admit to being dissapointed with the negative press rubbish.I'm sure these so called critics have a death wish for musical theatre.I wish they would take a'more in depth view' of productions like Imagine This and look behind the face of things.They should change there cushy jobs as I'm sure they nod off at times.I hope that these people are silenced like they were at Les Mis.If you haven't seen this show then please take notice of G.King,S.Manson and myself and please go I wish I was a theatre critic at least I wouldn't have to pay to get in. I will no doubt be paying again to see it and will consider it money well and truly spent. - Mick Fiddler,Preston Lancs.
24 Nov 08
Critics are rarely visionaries but critics do have the means, sadly, to suppress a superb production thus discouraging people to see for themselves. This show is extraordinary. Imagine This, captivates the observer with lush music, perfect stage, lighting and sound plus a brilliant cast as it salutes and honors the people who lived the experience. The emotions as well as standing ovations from the audience give testimony ... the show must go on! This is a first class production tastefully done. I'm certainly glad I saw this show and I intend to see this wonderful show yet again! Once was not enough! Thank you.
P. Morgan - G King
23 Nov 08
Not a Holocaust Musical! It is a wonderful story about a courageous group of people during a horrible time. I loved the show and would recommend it to every theatre lover who is looking for an ultimate theatrical experience! - S Manson
23 Nov 08
I think it is really sad that the reviews have been so bad for this brilliant production. The cast are amazing and show is beautifully staged. I really think it is one of the best new productions I have seen in a long time. The night I watched the show recieved a deserved standing ovation. Fantastic performances, an excellent cast and a truly moving theatrical experience. - G King
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- 20th Nov 2008 
