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Rent is an ensemble piece of merit; the style of musical theatre which is seen too rarely.<\/p>\n
The cast bring to the production, set in an important modern period before most of them were born, the glorious exuberance of youth, coupled with the determination and rebelliousness which so marked the period.<\/p>\n
The rock band, under the direction of Sarah Barlow, sharing keyboard with Stewart Greedy, creates a perfect sound which is truly reminiscent of the ethos.<\/p>\n
Greedy doubles as choral director, and rarely will you hear better integrated voices in a theatre production.<\/p>\n
Rent is serious musical theatre – in the manner of West Side Story. It demands a commitment from its audience to take the journey.<\/p>\n
For those who remember, and those coming to the story for the first time, it was a confronting episode; however, it also provided much cause for rejoicing, which is reflected in this production.<\/p>\n
Director Matthew Henderson has relied on his actors and the text. He has turned a potentially mawkish experience into a joyous celebration.<\/p>\n
Henderson, the cast, and his musicians, have served the piece with honesty and integrity, creating a memorable night in the theatre.<\/p>\n
Writer and composer Jonathan Larson died on the day of the first preview in New York. He was denied the opportunity to relish the international audience response to a meaningful piece of writing.<\/p>\n
Larson would be delighted by this production.<\/p>\n
Rent opens at the Terminus Theatre in the Goods Shed on Lydiard Street North on Thursday, 11 August and runs until Sunday, 21 August.<\/p>\n
For tickets visit rentballarat.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BLOC Music Theatre is playing at Ballarat\u2019s new performing space, Terminus Theatre, with a production of the musical, Rent. Located in the renovated Good Shed building city\u2019s railway station precinct, the theatre is an intimate space seating 320, and perfectly proportioned for the production. Rent is a rock musical with music, lyrics, and book by […]<\/p>\n