Originally premiering at the Bristol Old Vic back in 2016, then appearing at London’s Trafalgar Studios a year later, 'The Grinning Man' is a musical based on the 1869 novel ‘The Man Who Laughs’ by Victor Hugo. The very same author behind 'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame' and 'Les Miserables'.
This stage adaptation is directed by Tom Morris, the man behind a string of successes at the Bristol Old Vic, and just as he did with 'Messiah' Morris has hit it out of the park. This is certainly his best directorial work that I have had the pleasure of seeing. Each song is a delight that will send chills up your spine and each performance is unforgettable.
So what is the story behind 'The Grinning Man'?
In short, this two-act sensation details the sad life of Grinpayne, a man adopted by the travelling freakshow with a secret hidden behind the bandages covering his face. Though before we meet our leading man the show opens on Barkilphedro, a jester with tights as a hat and a twisted grin. As he introduces the character of the king and his three children, Barkilphedro is sure to let us know just how miserable and awful this people are (and misery seems to be quite the theme here). 'The Grinning Man' brings out the dark comedy right off the bat with language that lets you know this show is not for young children. This world created by Hugo and director Morris is a macabre masterpiece of depth and refreshingly, it does not shy away from its darkness.
After our introduction to the royal family and the world they rule, we learn the tale behind the grinning man himself, Grinpayne. This introduction to Grinpayne’s story is told through puppets. The young boy, his face scarred and cut, is ripped from his mother when he is shunned from the very ship his mother has boarded only moments ago. As the ship sails into a storm so begins Grinpayne’s first song, the haunting “Give Me Back My Mother”. This is where we really have to praise Louis Maskell and his vocal coach for creating a voice so unique as this. Maskell fills the auditorium, and in this online recording, he manages to fill the room. Having seen both the stage show and the online stream, there is truly nothing missing here from the real experience. If you close your eyes as Maskell sings for the young Grinpayne’s mother, you can feel the goosebumps on your skin.
The story continues and quickly we move to present day where the puppeteers take the place of their puppet counterparts. Grinpayne and a young blind orphan has been adopted by the travelling show and the folk tale continues. Throughout the story, the clown Barkilphedro bridges the gap between the comedy of the royal family and the story of the damned lovers that begins to unfold. The world grows with each and every scene, and while simple, director Tom Morris, lyricists Grose, Phillips, Morris, and Teitler, and book author Grose continue to show us new elements of this world.
The musical itself is a long stint, with around thirty songs it doesn’t sound like an easy feat for those who already struggle with musicals as it is. However, the lyrics are heartwarming and heartbreaking at times and you’ll find yourself so enchanted that the time flies by. Every voice in the cast is unique and perfectly matched for their songs, from the tear-jerking “Stars In The Sky” from Kinsley as Ursus, or the heart-lifting fantastical “Beauty And The Beast” from Maskey and Brisson as Grinpayne and Dea that you will struggle to not hum for the rest of the day. 'The Grinning Man' is a dark, twisted, and beautiful show and we’re lucky Bristol Old Vic has allowed us the magic on screen just one more time. Catch this while you can and you won’t regret it.
Reviewer - Aidan Bungey
on - 29/6/20
No comments:
Post a Comment