Set in Pearl Harbour, just before the Japanese attacks of 1941, Tim Rice's new musical tells the story of a group of soldiers, the women they fall for and the sacrifices they make for their country and for the survival of love. Adapted from the James Jones novel and the 1953 Oscar-award winning film, Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson have teamed up to create an incredible bluesy score for this new home grown musical with atmospheric set designs from Soutra Gilmour. This is my second time seeing this show, after winning tickets to one of the previews back in October. The main changes that have been made since the previews are all at the start of act two. I personally think they have impacted the narrative in a positive way. Back when the show first opened however, it was being dubbed 'From Here To November' by internet critics who thought the show would close before the month was up, and in a time when London theatre appears to be struggling, this wouldn't have been such a surprise. But the show battled on and here I am just having seen this brilliant show once again in February. It has to be acknowledged that the production does now have a closing date at the end of April. For leading man, Robert Lonsdale, I can give nothing but praise for his beautiful high tenor voice and convincingly good acting. The same can be said for scene-stealer, Ryan Sampson maintained incredible stage presence and was the highlight of the entire show. It was unfortunate that his character was a small role compared to the others. Nevertheless he breathed life into his character, Private Maggio, and during any scene he was on stage, your eyes would never divert from him. His ironic song 'I Love The Army' is possibly my favourite scene in the entire show. Director Tamara Harvey has rounded up troops to create a great production team. Javier de Frutos turns a military routine into an epically masculine dance routine and Kate Water's executes the fight choreography to perfection. The score, whilst critics have said is unforgettable, I personally believe it is catchy with Tim Rice's lyrics embracing the old-style rock'n'roll blues music created by Stuart Brayson, who is making his West End debut with his compositions for this musical. One of the greatest scenes in the entire show comes at the very end with the attack on Pearl Harbour being perfectly executed within the boundaries that the stage creates with incredible skill. The gritty and dark tale avoids the lazy-jukebox numbers which I think a lot of new British musicals are taking up. Whilst the show may have it's closing date set in stone, the cast at the stage door after the show were more than excited to tell me that a UK Tour is a high possibility and that a cast recording and a professionally shot DVD was on the way. I've also heard rumours of the production team looking at a possible Broadway transfer. I think the show would do quite well in America because of what the story is. But we'll just have to see. __________________________________________________________________ |
Robert Lonsdale (Private E. Lee Prewitt) This guy is so talented. He's also done theatre up in Newcastle which is near where I'm from. I can't wait for this From Here To Eternity cast recording to be released so I can listen to his beautiful high tenor voice on repeat. I hope to see him in more things in the future. __________________________________________________________________ Ryan Sampson (Private Maggio) Any fans of Doctor Who will recognise this guy. He played an American on Doctor Who too and his accent is so good he actually had me believing he WAS American...until I met him at the stage door. Turns out he's not. Either way, this man is a true acting talent and I would be honoured to see him do more theatre at some point. __________________________________________________________________ Marc Antolin (Private Clarke) I have so much love for this guy. I actually saw him in Matilda as Rudolpho and he was fantastic so to now see him again in From Here To Eternity has just made my life. He's such a nice person as well. I have to admit, he was my favourite. I am a really big fan of Marc Antolin. DISCLAIMER: All photo's above are courtesy of Eternity Productions Ltd (apart from the banner which is a photograph taken by me) __________________________________________________________________ |
Rating: ★★★ Comment: I honestly think the score is one of the better I've heard from new musicals, but I do think the book needs some work. However the cast are phenomenal. You must see it before it closes! Have you seen From Here To Eternity? Do you agree or disagree with any of the points I have made? If so, I'd love to here from you so send me a message! | |