REVIEW | A Chorus Line, Curve Leicester.
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A CHORUS LINE
CURVE, Leicester
★★★★★
If you are looking for a production that brings together every single element in the theatre and creates something special, Curve's Christmas production of A Chorus Line does just that. This enduring 1975 concept musical centred around auditions at a Broadway theatre was last seen as a West End production back in 2013. The Curve has taken this beautiful story and executed a gorgeous show that celebrates the very spirit of what theatre is, particularly those who invest their entire livelihoods to performing on the stage. I think the events of the last 18 months will also make these stories more poignant and relevant to the world we live in today, where the theatre industry is still struggling to manage the tremours of Covid shutdowns.
A Chorus Line is a complete ensemble show that has no large scenery, no costumes (except the final number), no interval and no real leading lady or man to take the helm. The musical won nine Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, and a whole host of other awards. The show's foundations began with two Broadway dancers, Michon Peacock and Tony Stevens and their friend Michael Bennett. They brought together a group of dancers to share their stories and experiences from the rehearsal, the roles we see on the stage have been organically and individually crafted to suit the talents and personality of the person playing them.
Nikolai Foster has used his definitive style of creating a piece of theatre that enables his audiences to be inspired and captivated by the people on the stage. There is extensive use of live video projection that flows through the dancers. enabling the audiences to really get up to close to these characters. It definitely amplifies the intimacy of these stories. Foster has ensured that his cast in this production are diverse and reflect the audiences of Leicester and beyond. By working with Ellen Kane, the crisp and punchy movement integrated amongst these stories fills the deep Curve stage with such beauty. It's something special to see how Kane takes original choreography and makes it fresh. Amplifying these elements is the Sound and Lighting, what a spectacle in itself. Howard Hudson's lighting design is admirable and gives an unforgettable performance during the production as it helps to transform the Curve space in a way that I haven't seen before in all of the years attending shows at this theatre.
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| Photo: Marc Brenner |
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Of course, this show is about its cast, the dancers who give blood, sweat and tears in delivering this show. They are on the stage for almost the entirety of this show, executing the choreography and delving into their characters. Carly Mercedes Dyer is back on the Curve stage as Cassie, the director's ex-girlfriend, who wants to begin her career again. Mercedes Dyer is captivating in this role as she pleads with Zazh (Adam Cooper) to be amongst the chorus line again. Chloe Saunders launches her career with her performing as Val Clarke, the audition soaks up her engaging rendition of "Dance: Ten: Looks: Three" which takes me back to college days. There's a significant moment when Paul San Marco (Ainsley Hall Ricketts) tells the story of his journey as a young homosexual guy in New York City and there's not a dry eye in the audience when Diana (Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly) holds the main thread of "What I Did For Love".
This cast is superb. Their renditions of some of the unforgettable numbers in A Chorus Line such as "One", "What I Did For Love", "Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love" and "The Music and the Mirror" will stick with you long after the curtain goes down. Their passion for these stories was so clear to see from this performance. They were supported by an equally wonderful Young Ensemble who show how working with the local community is important to Curve's work.
Why head on down to London for a 5-star production when you have the sensational production of A Chorus Line in Leicester this December! Innovative, Immense and Immaculate! This is a momentous show for the Curve, bravo!