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Show: Starting Here, Starting Now
Society: London (professional shows)
Venue: Waterloo East Theatre, Brad Street, London
Credits: Lyrics by Richard Maltby JR. Music by David Shire... a musical revue.
Type: Sardines
Author: Jess Pether
Performance Date: 02/07/2021
Starting Here, Starting Now
Jess Pether | 04 Jul 2021 10:10am
Theatres all over the world have struggled over the past 15 months but smaller venues have been particularly affected, with some not knowing if they’ll ever open again. So it gave me a warm feeling to take my seat at the Waterloo East theatre to watch Starting Here, Starting Now. The revue showcases the songs of lyricist Richard Maltby Jr. and composer David Shire and been performed throughout the world for over 45 years.
The production is simple – no set, apart from a few stools occasionally brought on; each performer in a pared-back black outfit; and a simple curtained backdrop, with well-considered lighting throughout. But this lack of spectacle allows the songs to do the talking. Nikki Bentley, Gina Murray and Noel Sullivan effortlessly lead the audience through 24 songs about love, life and… the Sunday Times crossword puzzle.
The audience are swept along quickly from one emotion to another, never quite knowing what might be pulled out of the bag next. Bentley takes on many of the show’s ballads which she delivers with a pure, charming voice and one heck of a belt. (No surprise for someone who has previously played Elphaba in Wicked.)
Murray’s comedy timing is spot on, especially in Crossword Puzzle, which has more than a hint of Victoria Wood about it, mixing clever wordplay with a woman on the edge. Sullivan’s standout moment is the song I Don’t Remember Christmas (the irony not lost on the audience as he sings in detail about a lover he’s trying to forget) but he did stumble over lyrics a couple of times throughout the show.
I think it’s easy to forget an MD when the music accompanying a show is basically perfect, because the music just “happens” and melds seamlessly into the overall show. So I wanted to take care to mention MD and pianist Inga Davis-Rutter, who single-handedly accompanies the entire show without putting a finger wrong. You can tell the cast know they’re in good hands with her and the rapport is strong.
In fact, you can tell the trio are just exceptionally happy to be on stage performing to real people. Although not all the songs are instantly memorable (some of the original shows never made it to a stage), each was performed with purpose and heart. The harmonies are tight and changes between songs slick.
Starting Here, Starting Now may not be a sparkly, over-the-top piece of musical theatre but it is charming and pleasant, and great way for the Waterloo East theatre to throw open its doors again.
- : admin
- : 02/07/2021
LondonMusical TheatreStarting Here Starting NowTheatreWaterloo East