The UMMTS (University Of Manchester Musical Theatre Society) are back, this time under their smaller group organisation banner 'The Manchester Musical Revue', with a self-penned comedy juke-box chamber musical, 'Losing The Plot'.
Written by students Erin Wallfisz, Arista Abbabatulla, and Najla Ardian, and using popular rock hits of the (mostly) 1980s, we are taken to a world where a male writer suffering very much from 'writers' block' and in need of inspiration, a muse, and a reason to write, suddenly chances upon an advert for a Musical-writing competition and decides to enter. However, he really needs to win, and so enlists the help of 6 female friends who come on board as his muses, and to give him ideas etc. This of course can only lead to comedic disaster, and as the deadline to submit the new writing gets ever nearer, the tempers become fraughter and the pace more frenetic. Will he ever be able to come up with the goods, or will the six wily ladies prove to be more of a hinderance; or indeed do they have plots and plans of their own?!
Our three writers also stepped up to the mark as directors and choreographers too, and the show gets off to a rather unexpected, clever, funny, and perhaps even unique start; the audience are acknowledged and referenced throughout, although only obliquely. We never become a part of the action, or are required to take an active part in the narrative. (thank goodness...!)
Alfie Pullum portrays the struggling writer, Eric, with genuine frustration, and his frustration goes from mild to mad in a fraction of a second. He has the quintessential temperament of an artist, and has a veritable catalogue of frustrations to call upon. Wheedling frustration, manic frustration, annoyed frustration, dejected frustration, resigned frustration, hopeful frustration etc... it's all there!
The six ladies enlisted to help him all have their own individual characters, clearly defined, and nicely contrasting. We have Beck (Livia Muscia), the conniving, established writer who brings along her own script and has plans to win on her own merit; the lesbian couple Evelyn (Ruby Lightwood), the most 'normal' of the six [and incidentally and quite personally my favourite character on stage this evening.. excuse the subjectivity!], with her nerdy, science-loving and reserved girlfriend Angela (Freya Heppel-Compton); Scarlet (Josselin Ball), who seems obsessed with all things Metal - musically speaking that is- and the more deviant the better it would appear; Stella (Katy Hinken) is another wild-child, and totally obsessed, but this time with space and aliens; whilst the sextet is completed with a more posh and aloof mysterious lady who loves opera, Camilla (Poppy Crowther). All gave sterling performances, and their characters were secure throughout. Singing was of a high standard, and movement was appropriate to character and song.
I loved the script and the premise of the plot; and the songs chosen were excellent, as they advanced the narrative in a way that juke-box musicals rarely do, and added to the show rather than just being stand-alone songs. The idea of course is not a new one, but the way it was presented was fresh and hugely enjoyable. In terms of plot / narrative, I do think the end was a little rushed and unconsidered; but that is a very minor point in the scheme of things. The costuming was excellently considered, and fit each character nicely, and the overall feel of the show was both upbeat and tongue-in-cheek, giving the audience plenty of time to laugh at the obvious humour of the show, without it becoming trite or contrived. Nicely done.
An exuberant, zestful, and hugely entertaining show, which, if the writers wished to try and take further, I feel sure (as we say in the biz) it has legs!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 11.3.23
on - 11.3.23
That’s so wonderful
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