A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
Official photography by Dan Stoneman https://www.instagram.com/compulsive.photographer/
This is the first show by Hallirackit Theatre in their home town, after they launched at the Edinburgh Fringe last year. This wonderful musical by Jonathan Larson has a small cast of five and in this production the actors work brilliantly together.
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Kenneth Lypka plays the lead character Jon who is struggling to find his way as a composer of musicals. He is ably supported by dancer Susan, his girlfriend who wants to settle down and have children, played by Fiona Crichton. His flatmate Michael is a struggling actor who has “sold out” into a steady income job in marketing, played by Ethan Lumsden. Other characters are played by Sarah Smith and Conor Megarry and my favourite moment was when Jon’s agent switched from being played by Sarah to being played by Conor!
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This was definitely a show that had you wondering just how they remember all the words, Jon tells his story in great detail throughout. Having seen the movie I was worried a live version would disappoint but it did not. The set was just Jon’s lounge although they made it work as a cafe and workshop and various other locations as the script required. The fairy lights were only on when it was his lounge and they made it obvious when we were being transported elsewhere, without any faffing about with set changes.
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The band were at the back of the stage throughout and switched from Jon to them seamlessly, often mid-song so he could concentrate on singing and dancing.
It was a truly wonderful experience and it’s good to see the other nights are sold out.
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Further information: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/tick-tick-boom
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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