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.
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 Now, he's been replaced by superb young newcomer Dougal Irvine while supermodel Caprice heads the bill as bisexual performance artist Maureen.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.
I remember this show and it was awesome, the cast rocked, the band rocked, please bring them back - Viv Haughton
23 Jul 10
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)
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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