REVIEW | RENT, Hope Mill Theatre

Photography: Pamela Raith

RENT

Online Stream

Hope Mill Theatre

★★★★★

The year was 2010 and at a gathering at my friends house, I watched RENT for the very first time. I remember watching the 2005 and being completely captivated by this story around a group of New Yorkers at the dawn of the 1990s. This musical has stuck with me since that very first day and is hands down my favourite show of all time.

Over the years I have seen 4 performances of the show so was thrilled when I heard the Hope Mill Theatre would be reopening their theatre after the first lockdown with their production of RENT. With only 5 performances able to take live, new restrictions meant that this company pulled together to film it so the show could go online. What you see produced was a big hug of a show that the theatre industry craves so much right now.

Rent follows a group of young artists struggling to thrive in New York, disrupted by the pressure of rent, careers and the distressing outbreak of HIV/AIDS in their community. What strings this story together is the late Jonathan Larson’s spectacular musical score which heightens every ounce of emotion you’ll experience in this show.

Photography: Pamela Raith

Hope Mill Theatre’s company of 12 energetic and passionate individuals bring together every complexity to the characters in Rent. They each bring something fresh and exciting in such a intimate stage space. There was clearly some nods to the staging being “socially-distanced”, this brought a new level of energy and fun into the musical numbers that I didn’t expect to experience.

The casting for this show is absolutely spot on: Millie O’Connell brings new life to Maureen’s bounce and spirit, Tom Francis’ Roger oozes the rough and vulnerability whilst Maiya Quansah-Breed grew on me in her take on Mimi, her performance of Without You blew me away. Angel is the main thread to this group of friends and Alex Thomas Smith gracefully takes our hand through the story. Jocasta Almgill brings a superb level of fierce energy as Joanne, enabling me to thoroughly enjoy her performance, particularly in Take Me Or Leave Me.

Our narrator Mark, played Blake Patrick Anderson really shines in his role as the frustrated filmmaker. Ahmed Hamad does a great job as the cold and heartless Benny, although he showed a more likeability to his character than I had ever experienced. My favourite performance of the night was from Dom Hartley-Harris as Collins. His rendition of I’ll Cover You Reprise left me gasping for breath between sobs, it was just gorgeous. I’d like a cast recording just for that number alone!

The featured ensemble for this show, Kayla Carter, Allie Daniel, Issac Hesketh and Bethany Terry definitely established their moments in the show too. Carter’s solo in Seasons Of Love will drop your jaw to the floor.

Photography: Pamela Raith

Photography: Pamela Raith

The choreography is superb and incredibly expressive, his take on La Vie Boheme blew the roof off our house! It was sublime from toes to the finger tips. Tom Jackson Greave is a creative genius.

There are many fresh layers to this show that Luke Sheppard has incorporated. I definitely saw this show through a different lens than before, some lyrics stuck with me more than ever before.

The finale that will leave utterly speechless (and emotional!) In a world that feels bloody terrifying right now, RENT allowed me the opportunity to experience the true joy of theatre…escapism. The show also served as a fantastic reminder to what incredible stuff happens regionally throughout the UK.

Rent at the Hope Mill Theatre is available to view online until 20 December.