UNFOLDING - AT THE ADC
Were you ever a pen pal? Writing letters to friends abroad certainly used to be thing but with the Big Bang of electronic messaging these days, being pen pally, actually writing using ink, has become passé. That said here is something to write home about – a new musical for Cambridge!
In the blessed world of musical theatre it is rare for one person to be responsible for the three key elements of any show: ‘book, music and lyrics’. That is some responsibility. So three cheers for local creative Emma Vieceli for emulating the likes of Lionel Bart (‘Oliver!’) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (‘Hamilton’). Her new musical ‘Unfolding’ had its world premiere at the ADC on Wednesday and I got to see the second night.
I should also add a fourth dimension to the triple-talented Vieceli, for she also stars in the show as Rose, a diffident woman, approaching her 40th. For many years the English Rose has kept up a close correspondence with Mark, an American pen friend. Reminiscent of ’84, Charing Cross Road’, this is an epistolatory relationship developing only in ink. Rose has never met her soul mate Mark who has always urged her to look beyond her own narrow horizons and look up to the stars. There is tragedy in Rose’s life but luckily some good friends – a trio of strong-willed women two of whom are about to get married to each other. Vieceli packs a lot of plot into this musical, ‘Unfolding’ has an awful lot to unfold: some of it is pretty dark (suicide, marital abuse, parental disapproval of gay marriage for example) but there are also many lighter moments especially when Rose’s mates Florence, Natasha and Carly were taking the limelight on stage.
Though I have some reservations about the tautness of the plot and the sketchy way in which some of the characters are introduced, this show is certainly a tour de force. Vieceli is a powerful performer both as vocal diva and convincing actor. She has created an original show packed with good songs, clever and often poignant lyrics and some very fresh theatrical ideas. Not least of this are a series of hilariously mimed chants which emulate points in the story such as airport baggage handling and the tedium of office work.
Vieceli is more than ably supported by a wonderful ensemble of performers each of whom had a gorgeous voice and the ability to create thoroughly believable characters.
David Barrett though he had to wait a whole first act to come to the fore, really shone as the troubled New Yorker Mark who had mysteriously stopped writing to Rose. We find out why and it is pretty devastating.
The choreography of the show by David Mallabone kept offering delightful stage pictures and director Cat Nicol hardly ever let the pace or energy slip even in scene changes. The band led by Liz Townsend provided first class support – not drowning out the singers (a rare event at the ADC) but also providing a rich tapestry of sound worlds.
Everything about this production including set, lighting, and costume (oh and a beautifully designed programme) had the mark of quality about it. Once it got going (and to be honest it took a bit too long), the plot took on serious themes and there was a powerful poignancy in Rose and Mark’s much belated coming of middle age.
Something apart from the plot was unfolding as I watched ‘Unfolding’; the emergence of a very talented music theatre creator and who knows, perhaps a renewed interest in writing letters?
Photos: Paul Ashley
