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Show: If They’re Human (2nd Tour)
Society: Early Doors Productions
Venue: The Space, Isle of Dogs
Credits: Justin Cartledge
Type: Independent (registered user)
Performance Date: 14/03/2024
If They’re Human
Alice Clayton | 23 Mar 2024 21:43pm
If They’re Human at The Space on the Isle of Dogs was a wonderful surprise.
I went in with feelings of apprehension as a musical set within the confines of a concentration camp seemed unlikely to work, but it did.
The story is a love story, Lea and her husband Peter are separated by the war and Captain Hassler is a man separated by his own demons and fears.
Written by Justin Cartledge, Amy Clayton with Darren Matthews adding additional music and directed by Amy Clayton, this trio bring to life a story that needs a wider audience.
On the surface it is a love story of these 3 main characters, but within it there are many nuances where each character tells about the horrors of the war.
Neil Gray’s end of Act One monologue and song left the audience with no doubt about the horrors of this moment in our history. It was told brilliantly.
Lea was played by Nicole Campbell-Booth, her subtle performance of a person in turmoil but still just trying to stay alive was played to perfection.
Not an easy role.
Peter, Lea’s husband, was played by Neil Patrick.
What an incredible voice, it the filled the space and in The Space, an old church it was a joy to listen to.
Captain Hassler was played excellently by Justin Cartledge.
Subtle bits throughout letting you know he is a beaten man who is trapped also. Feel Your Love, his final song had most of the audience in tears.
What was most intriguing about If They’re Human was the character arks, which don’t come from the leading roles but the supporting parts.
Erika and Corporal Plagge, played by Emily Walker and Ian Gilbert, both transition from beginning to end. It really was very clever and not sure I’ve seen it before in a play.
Yes the leads tell the story and push it along, but it is the supporting roles who bring the horrors to life. No one character is in this play for the sake of it. No matter how big or small the role is they are there for a reason.
It was a quality ensemble piece.
One other noticeable role was Sgt Masse performed by Matthew Jones. His cruelty and menace throughout the show left me with no doubt the total hatred that people had to endure within those fences.
I have to highlight the choreography, yes it’s a musical so there is dance, but it’s movement more than a full dance number except when needed. It was remarkable to see this choreography move the story along. The contemporary dance whilst Wildflowers was being sung was beautiful.
The songs.
A few stood out more than others, but this is an original musical so to have a few earworms tells me the songs were well written, played and performed.
Unfortunately I don’t know the song titles to say what they are. I’m very much making up the title from lyrics that I remember.
I found myself completely engrossed in If They’re Human from beginning to end. It is a remarkable piece of theatre that I would love to see again and to see go further.
Well done to everyone involved.
- : user
- : 14/03/2024