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Show: ‘The Witches of Oz’, ‘Stranger Sings’ and ‘Peter Pan’s Labyrinth’
Society: London (professional shows)
Venue: The Vaults. Launcelot Street, London SE1 7AD
Credits: Various
Type: Sardines
Author: Jess Pether
Performance Date: 13/10/2022
Stranger Sings
Jess Pether | 15 Oct 2022 20:54pm
You know a TV show has truly made it when a parody musical is written about it. Stranger Sings spoofs the hugely popular Netflix show Stranger Things and just like the series, it’s bursting at the seams with eighties references. Shell suits? Check. Twister and a Space Hopper? Of course. Roller skates, electro music and E.T.? All there.
The Vaults, London’s “home for immersive theatre and alternative arts”, is the perfect setting for this kind of dark and atmospheric performance. Nestled in a disused railway arch underneath Waterloo station, you feel part of the show the moment you step inside, especially because you have to cross the stage to get to your seat. There are themed cocktails on offer at the bar, which is set with old sofas and table lamps like an eighties living room.
The audience, clearly full of superfans, were loving the in-jokes and twisted references to the TV series throughout the performance. A cast full of impressive vocals, it took a little while to adjust to the sound as I think perhaps the mics were set slightly too loud. However, credit must go to musical director and one-woman band, Debbi Clarke, who sits at the back of the stage playing the whole show on her keyboard never missing a beat.
If there was ever a Winona Ryder impersonation competition, Holly Sumpton would win hands down. Her portrayal of Joyce (played by Winona in the TV show), the mother of Will who goes missing, is hilarious and spot on. Her song Crazy is the highlight of the night, complete with cameos by Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and one of the Heathers. Her acting and singing overall stands out during the whole performance.
Georgia McElwee as Barb (#JusticeForBarb) is someone else who’s with fizzing comic energy and brilliant vocals. She received the longest and loudest cheer of the night after her song, Barb’s Turn, and rightly so.
The whole cast are fully committed to their roles – and who doesn’t love to see adults playing little kids? There are a couple of puppets thrown into the mix as well, which might sound strange but trust me, it works.
This tongue in cheek romp through the little town of Hawkins, complete with mad scientists, demogorgons and kids saving the day is a treat of a night out, whether you’ve seen Stranger Things or not.