Facebook: The Musical

C    5 - 31 August @ 22.30    Orbaum and Springall/Hartshorn Hook

True to its title, Facebook: The Musical contains obsessive cyberspace chat between five characters who seem to spend virtually all their waking hours online “Facebooking“ friends and potential lovers. There is also a Facebook projection behind the action, duplicating these messages. On stage, however, meagre dramatic thrust is delivered by the book of this musical, or the dialogue, during a two hour late night slot at C venues. The story revolves around a fraught relationship between student Rose (Tafline Steen) and teacher Mr Young (Peter Gentry), and a lesbian affair between Patience (Catherine Millsom) and Leigh (Jasmine Taylor). Completing the cast is Justin (Alasdair James McLaughlin).

The songs are mostly “power ballad” style with an almost 80’s feel, and seem strangely anachronistic with the modern phenomenon of social networking. But the musical depth and poignancy of composer Anthony Stephen Springall injects essential drama to transform this musical into a worthwhile visit. Springall’s music offers the characters the opportunity to display emotional intensity, and an interpretation of their romantic and sexual predicaments. An abundance of songs also allows the audience the enjoyment of the cast’s well trained voices, and the high standard of vocal arrangements and harmonies.