REVIEW | Now or Never, Barn Theatre

Photo Credit: Jenya Steanson

Now or Never

Barn Theatre Digital

★★★★★

Innovative digital design is transitioning comfortably into the theatre and providing new ways of bringing in an audience. One individual who is doing that in impeccable style is the Barn Theatre’s Ryan Carter. Fresh from creating The Secret Society of Leading Ladies is Now or Never, a British song cycle with an ambitious digital twist that is sure to both engage and inspire. The song cycle, a group of related songs to form a musical entity, follows seven people as they each take a defiant act of positivity during their last week on Earth.

In a streamed performance, which lasts around 45 minutes, you are whisked along in a journey like no other, with familiar spaces around the Barn Theatre playing scenery to the action that is about to unfold. The camera pace makes for comfortable and engaging viewing and never distracts you from the now. What is even more ambitious about this production in comparison to others that the Barn Theatre has curated is that its live streamed in 1 continuous shot, with no edits or stop starts to fine the details. What they deliver is pure genius!

The concept and songs are written by associate artist Matthew Harvey, which not only speak to your soul but also manage to capture a fantastic storytelling element. The fluidity of this song cycle makes it incredibly easy to engage with the different characters, brought to life by an incredible cast. Eloise Davies, Ahmed Hamad, Matthew Harvery, Irvine Iqbal, Lucy St Louis, Kate Shearman and Courtney Stapleton do an amazing job at portraying people we can definitely see ourselves within, in one way or another. We move very swiftly amongst them but have time to listen and reflect on each of their stories throughout Now and Never. There is a definitive element of wanting to learn more about these characters from watching this production. 

Photo Credit: Jenya Steanson

Photo Credit: Jenya Steanson

Their individual stories each deliver a great layer to the pace of Now and Never that would otherwise be lost. The curation of this song cycle is really moving, with the finale song having the phrase “whatever happens today, tomorrow is for the taking” being a particularly poignant part of the show that tugs at the heart strings. 

Although the song cycle was written with the intention of bringing together individual responses to global adversity without writing specifically about the pandemic, you can see why those lines may be aligned as you experience Now or Never. 

Now or Never is an everlasting joyous experience that will stay with you long after.

This review was also posted on the West End Best Friend here, I am one of their news and review editors.