Review by Mark Sherry of “The Middle Room” Presented by Grace Spinks
‘The Middle Room’ is a brilliant new musical by Grace Spinks, who wrote the book, lyrics and music.
Spinks is a Conservatorium-trained composer and multi-instrumentalist. Some of her songs have a catchy, contemporary guitar-driven rhythm, but others are classic showstoppers with clear piano origins. Overall, the show has contemporary pop/musical theatre harmony styles, rhythms and accompaniments.
When a show completely captures you, you lean forward and are almost breathless, until a resolution of the scene occurs and you can breathe out. I had that experience a few times – particularly with the poignant songs beautifully performed by Christina Keen (who plays Mary, the family matriarch).
But this is an ensemble piece, not a show with one leading character. Mary’s oldest daughter Elizabeth was played by Chloe Flanagan on Opening Night. She gave a realistic portrayal of a strong young woman bored with country life, desperately seeking adventure. She played the role with the veritas required – her character leaves the country, gets married, divorces and returns with a broken heart and two children. Chloe gave a strong vocal performance, especially in the song “Muscle Memory.” On May 17, this role was played by Maggie Barret-Beck, a young woman with a beautiful voice. Barret-Beck has the hardest role in the show (the swing) and will play another role in the show’s next Festival location, Albion.
Another character in the show, Andy, was played by Chloe Flanagan’s real-life brother, Jack Flanagan. Andy’s role in the show is incredibly difficult – he not only sings and acts the roles of two characters, he also plays guitar and provides washboard percussion. He does so with aplomb, particularly winning the audience with the rousing “Get Round To It”.
The character of Rae (Kate Hudson-James) is crucial to the show’s themes of love, family, place, and loss. As she grows up, we see her mature from singing about her boyfriend, to getting married, and finally, we see the new role she plays within the family. Rae and Andy’s beautiful relationship is conveyed incredibly well in their acting and singing, particularly in “A Warmth That Remains.”
When her brother Jaime (Ethan Coleman) develops a neurological condition, Rae becomes his primary carer, until he briefly moves in with his mother. Ethan Coleman is multi-talented – he plays the piano very well (even entertaining the crowd with jazz, blues and pop numbers before the show) and also plays the melodica. His brief but sensitive portrayal of a terminally ill young man is deeply touching.
AJ Betts plays Louise, a lesbian character who has been rejected by her own mother and finds solace through her connection with Mary’s family. Louise’s friendship and emotional connection with Rae is a core element of the narrative.
Louise’s troubled relationship with her mother is explained in the beautifully-delivered lyric, “I don’t share my anger anymore but I don’t share my joy with her either.” This pain of being disconnected from her mother moves the audience deeply.
The voices of all the cast are astonishingly beautiful and powerful. They are either working professionals or training to become professionals (mostly at the Conservatorium).
The setting for this musical was inspirational – with bright visual representations of music adorning the walls. It is a music venue designed for disabled people to be included in the creative community. This fits perfectly with the inclusive nature of the Anywhere Festival.
This is the best musical-in-development I’ve seen in a long time (and I’ve seen about 100 in the last five years). Be one of the people who can say, “I saw it in its infancy”.
SEE THIS SHOW. IT IS GREAT!
The Middle Room plays at New Tricks Wine & Gin Distillery, Albion on the 28th of May @7:00 pm; the 29th of May @7:00 pm; and the 31st of May @2pm.
