Review: Ray Bradbury's 2116

This is a slick, well-rehearsed production with some strong dance and a couple of very good voices, too. A circus-like feel to the design and staging complimented by use of puppets and creative props all contribute to a magical feel, augmented by the almost musical-box score.

The back-story of how this musical came into being is also rather magical - this show has been waiting to be made since the 1950s when Ray Bradbury was asked to create a musical vehicle for Charles Laughton and his wife. Working with Steve Josephson, this production finally makes its World Premiere in Edinburgh 2010.

Josephson is a charismatic figure on stage and this show is at its most successful when he is leading the company.

The First Act is a simple parable, similar to the Babaoushka story, where an aged couple commission marionettes of themselves when they were young to give to their spouse as a Christmas present. Opportunities to really send up the comedy are missed to an extent and the lyrics are somewhat pithy: ‘what to do/what a stew/God bless/what a mess'.

The Second Act is telling the story of the ‘Renegades' who make up the company giving the show in the First Act. There was an opportunity here to ‘step up the ante' and it is disappointing that the music is so similar to that in the parable - a greater contrast with more variation in tempo and key would have lifted this show to somewhere far more exciting.

Nonetheless, a magical show.

18/08/2010