Promises and Lies

USER (29Mar06): “Promises and Lies” Birmingham Rep, 28 March 2006 Music and Lyrics by UB40 Book by Jess Walters From an original idea by John Dixon This is very much a play with music and lyrics rather than an old fashioned musical. The action is set over a 2-day period in Birmingham. Although there are a number of key characters it principally follows the story of an 18-year-old girl called Rudie. She was abandoned by her mother as a baby and has been in and out of care and at the opening of the play is on the streets and angry. She does now however have a boyfriend although he is on drugs and a pretty mixed up character too. Rudie is played powerfully by Remi Wilson and her boyfriend Cuddles by Ryan Gage. Both portray the disillusionment and despair of being on the streets. Having contacted her mother and made arrangements to finally meet her Rudie is stood up but does not know that it was not her mother’s fault. Her mother an Irish woman called Breda is played by Julie-Alanah Brighten an actress with a strong singing voice reminiscent of one of the Nolan Sister’s. We see Breda outside a nightclub as part of a hen night. Her husband a jealous man is played with a certain amount of angst by Paul Clarkson. It was his fault that mother and daughter did not meet. He tries to put things right. David Burt plays a streetwise pimp called Marcus who appears to use everyone he comes into contact with and gains great satisfaction from enticing them into his world. Needless to say he gets his comeuppance and the audience liked that! The 2 nightclub bouncers are like chalk and cheese, George played by John Marquez is a confident ladies man and thug whereas Randall played by Clive Rowe is for the most part quiet, unlucky in love and a giant of a man. He shares a tender song entitled “Once Around” with Breda. Intertwined with the action is a lively score of musical numbers by UB40 with some strong individual performances but Act 1 needs to be sharper and more focused on the main characters. Act 2 was better paced and the sex scenes of domination portrayed by the Rope Man and Adult Baby were well handled and fitted into the storyline. By this time the characters were better established and there were touching moments like those between Rudie and her mother Breda and the song “Lost and Found”. The play is directed by Nick Bagnall and Jonathan Church and the urban set designed by the talented Simon Higlett. It was also good to see members of The Young Rep Company taking part in this production. The play continues at The Rep until 15 April. Clive Fuller

USER (28Mar06): I agree !

USER (28Mar06): DONT WASTE YOUR TIME AND CASH (AND MY TICKET WAS A NORTHFIELD NIGHTS SPECIAL £2.00) WOULD RATHER HAVE STAYED IN AND WATCHED A REPEAT OF THE BILL.