Synopsis A musical based on La boheme. The musical updates the plot to modern day New York where a community of East Village dwellers battle to fulfil their aspirations against the tide of reality. The show opened off Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop in February 1996 for a two month run before transferring to the Nederlander. 35 year old Jonathan Larson never lived to see the success of the musical, dying of an aortic aneurysm shortly after the final dress rehearsal. Winner of four 1996 Tony Awards, (including Best Musical), the film rights were snapped up by Robert de Niro and Miramax.
Note: This review dates from March 2001 and the start of the UK tour for this production.
Former Coronation Street actor and pop star Adam Rickitt takes the lead in the revival of multi award-winning musical Rent.
Many had accused the previous West End premiere production of being too heavy on the angst and doldrums, with the story's focus on drug abuse, HIV and Aids, poverty and death. But while these topics are certainly not light material, director Paul Kerryson has ensured this time that the characters remain likeable and convincing, leaving their humanity paramount.
The show, based on La Boheme, tells of a group of friends living in New York's East Village just before Christmas. Mark (Rickett) and Roger, (Damien Flood, last seen fronting the fictitious pop group in Boyband), cannot pay the rent to a former room-mate who now owns their building. Mark is making a film about a year in the life of his friends, and Roger is struggling to overcome depression about his HIV status, until he meets dancer Mimi (Debbie Kurup). Through a collection of short scenes and songs, we meet the pair's friends, including transvestite Angel and his boyfriend Collins, played by the super-voiced Mykal Rand.
Of course, Rent achieved cult status when it opened in New York, partly due to the tragedy of the show's real-life story; writer Jonathan Larson died of an aneurysm only a few days before opening night, and never got to see the success of his work.
What remains is an interesting yet not flawless piece. Lyrics range from brilliant to banal, songs from seriously catchy to simply repetitive; one suspects that a certain amount of tweaking and fine-tuning would have occurred had Larson lived to see the show progress and develop.
In this new production at least, the cast of 15 pack powerful voices into distinctive characters. Rickitt looks a little too preppy for my liking but copes well with the vocal demands of the show, and Flood gives a pleasing performance.
Act Two's opening number "Seasons of Love" is still the real showstopper, but regional audiences have been going wild for everything about this grown-up, contemporary show. While it may not quite be the case that there ain't nothin' goin' on but the Rent, it's certainly due for a visit.
Elizabeth Ferrie
For reviews from Rent's original West End run, click here.
Bril show or what some of the scenes was funny and some was moving.
All the cast was amazing especially Adam Rickitt. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.40.27.178)
14 Apr 03
Bril show or what some of the scenes was funny and some was moving.
All the cast was amazing especially Adam Rickitt. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.40.3.65)
14 Apr 03
i have never walked out of the theatre before until Rent. It was a mess, no form, inaudible and trashy. It was the worst theatre production of any genre I have ever seen and was a total waste of time and money. I cannot understand why anyone would give it one star let alone four. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
21 Jan 02
I can't see what people have against this musical!!! It is about life in our own generation, and shows (a based on real life) story. Most people that don't like this argue that it isn't your typical musical like Les Mis, Phantom etc.. that is true, however why try to compare these of such difference!! What do see wrong with the show? The songs aren't suited for elevator music! Thanks to people here who are giving RENT, a score it deserves, 5, it os a new musical, meant to be different, and this is what makes it special, so what if they have a soap star in it!! He can still sing (although not the best, he is still very good). All I can say is that although we all are biased by our own views I disagree with everyone who thinks RENT, is just a 'dissapointing' musical! - USER: Whatsonstage.com
24 Dec 01
I went to Rent thinking it was a modern day musical which was to speak to the younger gneration and be genuinely original in comparison to so many of the well known old favourites out there. I was left extremely dissapointed. It is not a play which talks about real life issues in a genuine way, it rather tackily pretends to understand such issues as AIDS and homosexuality by dancing around the topics and proclaiming that the only way to understand such issues is to have a good old sing song about them with some appaulingly cheesy songs such as 'season's of love' which is the sort of tune you expect to find playing in a department store lift. And as for the woman's cow bit, most of the audience were embarrased and baffled. Adam Rickett was better than I expected (his coronation street routes leaving me slightly tentitive) on the singing front but a well toned body can't make up for real acting talent. If your looking for a good night out, go and see an old favourite like My Fair Lady or Chicago. You may know what to expect on the storyline/song front but if this little surprise is anything to go by, you'll be thanking god that you do... - USER: Whatsonstage.com
19 Dec 01
The plot can’t be described as straightforward it took a while to work out exactly what was going on. My advice is get their early go to the bar and study the ‘Who’s who?’ in the programme before the show starts.
The show tackles tough issues and makes you stop and think left me questioning my own life…
The whole cast shine Mykal Rand as Collins has an amazing voice and Lucy Williamson’s portrayal of Maureen is outstanding and of course Debbie Kurup is wonderful as Mimi…
What more can I say but congratulations to Paul Kerryson and everyone involved in RENT...
I've seen RENT in Leicester, Northampton and Nottingham each time the cast have received a standing ovation so if you won't take my word for it!!! Can't wait to see it in London...
I JUMPED OVER THE *MOOOOOON*!!! Mark - USER: Whatsonstage.com
16 Dec 01
Let's see..what did i like about Rent? Well they did have mint ice cream in the interval! Alright, we like musicals, so off we go, £20 in hand, and we buy very nice seats for Rent. Then we discover that Adam Rickett is in it. Tut tut, a soap star! Oh well, says I, let's give him a chance, and we would have, only he wasn't in it, so I can't comment on his performance. But it's the musical itself I have argument with, not the actors, and 'tis a big argument. I did like one of the songs: it had a good harmony line, but everthing else was very poor. I found it hard to follow the plotline, hard to understand the irritating squawks of the telephone users, (were they meant to be singing there?) and hard not to cringe at the obviously forced political correctness of the whole facade. "Hey guys, let's do a show about young people struggling with life issues and emotions!! Yeah, yeah, it'll be cool, the critics'll love it!"
As a young person, I can say that Rent is trash. The way they sung a song about a character (Maureen) before we even knew who she was or what she was meant to be doing was stupid: we had no way of connecting with the song or with the character, and when she did appear, and started talking about cows, well! I didn't know where to look. The audience didn't know whether she was joking or not when she asked them to "moo" with her and so an embarrassingly small smattering of audience members joined in. I'm glad I saw it though: it was a learning curve. We can't accept all entertainment presented to us as a quality product. We do have to use our own brains and opinions to make educated decisions. I was sucked in by reviews but ended up firmly deciding that Rent is not a night out you want to spend £20 on. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
12 Dec 01
While Rent may be applauded by some for dealing with, as Adam Rickett put it the other day, 'life oriented issues', to me, it just felt like they were going down a checklist - AIDS! Homosexuality! Interracial relationships! - and doing 'raw' and 'real' theatre by numbers. Consequently, none of the characters are engaging (many are simply annoying) and the story carries no emotional resonance. When yet another sketchily drawn, ill-developed character reached their inevitable death, I found myself totally unmoved.
Rent's comic moments, as well as its 'moving' ones, fall flat. One scene involving a supposedly kerazeee cow impression was embarrassing and painful to watch, as none of the audience seemed to get this or many other jokes.
This said, some of Rent's songs are pleasant enough, though hardly memorable. Unfortunately the cast only seem to have two modes of singing - shouting and shouting louder, which ruins what good melodies there are.
The Rent hype will tell you that audiences have been inspired by this show, and I must say I was too - inpsired to leave the theatre as soon as possible and tell everyone I know never to see this show! - USER: Whatsonstage.com
11 Dec 01
Absolutely brilliant, go see this show it is a wondeful piece of theatre, I certainly will be going again. I laughed and cried so much. Debbie Kerrup was fantastic as was Mikal Rand. What a powerful company. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
08 Dec 01
An absolutely brilliant show. Go see it just for Mykal Rands "I'll cover you" reprise - which is worth the ticket price itself!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com
Opened as The Princes Theatre in 1884, current name from 1886. Non-stop revue during the 30s. Re-built 1937 and re-opened as a theatre. 1122 seats. Member of the Society of London Theatre. The Prince of Wales is owned and managed by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Limited who have undertaken the ?7.5 million refurbishment programme.
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