Leicester Square Theatre, London
***
Returning to the Leicester Square Theatre, Straight from the
Heart is a warming tale of love told in the midst of upheaval and confusion
in the shadow of life-threatening illness. In association with the British
Heart Foundation, the show tells the true story of a relationship that is
pushed to its limits in the face of catastrophe when the lives of loving couple
Bob and Cath are jeopardised.
The play is set in a piano bar of The Blandford Country
Hotel, where the characters are set to have a final rendezvous before a
conclusive heart operation that will determine their future. As the audience
enter they are engulfed by soft piano underscore. The light-hearted jazz
immediately relaxes the crowd, creating an unpretentious ambience for the
ensuing action. In the atmospheric gloom of this basement space we are
instantly greeted by Kevin Short’s flirtatious film-quoting anti-hero: Bob. His
personality is full of endearing identifiable attributes (including extensive
references to his “randy” sex-life), which promotes a certain playfulness in
his character, ensuring the audience are not insulted by his lured gestures;
Bob is honest and truthful from the beginning and that is why he is so
appealing. Short carries the plot with ease, with impeccable comic timing and
an eclectic showcase of original lyrical material, shining as the central
protagonist.
The first act is dedicated to Bob: a chain-smoking, beer
drinking husband and pub-owner whose vivacious lifestyle is taking its toll on
his body. Short reels in his audience by giving this figure an immediate
likeability, punctuating his speeches with timeless iconic specificity as he
quotes from his favourite films. This friendly personality extends beyond the
curtain call; the cast remain onstage while Short contextualises the play,
revealing his own personal alliance with its script before promoting the
association with the British Heart Foundation, and finally announcing that he
will be welcoming his audience to converse with him in the bar after the show.
Short’s Bob progresses naturally, building a charismatic
persona which increases audience appeal. But whilst there is extensive
attention given to Bob, it causes Holli Hoffman’s Cath to fall a little flat.
Despite achieving moments of true heartache within her central monologue, her
performance is all too often masked by the presence of Short’s Bob when the two
are together in the space.
Joining the couple onstage is the talented musical hand of
accompanying pianist Benjamin Croft. He plays throughout the show, subtly underscoring
the earnest monologues with an original score written by Kevin Short himself.
The music glides from number to number, unexpectedly enhancing the characters’
relationship, before withdrawing to leave the pair alone for a final intimate
exchange without musical guidance. In the final moments we see Hoffman’s Cath,
alone at the piano playing a simplified reprise of the show’s tagline ‘I know
I’ve always loved you, straight from the heart’, bringing the piece to a
well-rounded, affectionate close.
Short approaches the audience with ease; singing to the
women on the front row, drinking from their wine glasses and retreating with a
smile on his face and the crowd on his side. His recital is nothing but
amicable. Ultimately, Straight from the Heart is a quaint theatre
experience that isn’t afraid to be old school, adding a bit of old fashioned
spice to a love story under threat in the modern world.
This production runs
until 27th January 2013.
For more information: www.leicestersquaretheatre.com
@lsqtheatre
No comments:
Post a Comment