Ashcroft Theatre (Fairfield Halls), Croydon
****
There’s a surprising lack of spectacle for a show which
comprises over thirty songs. Instead, David M Lutken and Nick Corley dazzle
with heart and spirit in their understated tribute to the life and music of folk-singer,
Woody Guthrie.
Guthrie, a prominent figure in American music (influencing
artists such as Bruce Springsteen), departed his native Oklahoma due to
ecological and agricultural collapse as a result of the 30’s Dust Bowl,
travelling to California during the Great Depression. Coined the ‘Dust Bowl
Troubadour’, Guthrie’s songs captured the austere conditions of the people
struck by financial collapse and protested the injustice served by the rich to
the poor; he was a man of the people. The company encapsulate the quintessence
of Guthrie right from the off as they sit casually on the end of the stage,
playing instruments and conversing light-heartedly with the audience whilst the
house lights are up. Such openness suggests that this is our tribute to Guthrie
as much as it is theirs, affectingly reflecting the principles of his music.
The format of the performance resembles an unceremonious
recital; songs are interspersed with biographical interludes frankly enacted by
Lutken, as Woody, and the company, who multi-role various characters from
Guthrie’s life. An exceptional instance is Helen J Russell’s portrayal of
Guthrie’s mother who tragically died of Huntington’s disease. The simplicity of
Russell’s poignantly sombre expression, combined with the dulcet musical
accompaniment, amply captures the magnitude of the heartbreak. The copious
instruments which fill the otherwise scarce stage tell us that the performance
intentionally focuses on the music. The brief accounts of Guthrie’s life provide
historical context to his songs, depicting the severe hardship which inspired him
to write. Furthermore, there is a neatly devised interaction between past and
present: Lutken alternates between talking about
Guthrie and addressing the audience as an extremely likeable and passionate
Woody, in the first person. Bringing the character and his journey to life
through direct address invites us to intuitively recognise the resonance that
his music has with today’s society. The company’s candidly satirical rendition
of ‘Jolly Banker’, mocking the deceptive intentions of corporate figures, is a
stand-out example.
The company – Lutken, Russell, Ruth Clarke-Irons, and
William Wolfe Hogan – are tremendously, musically gifted. Seamlessly courting
an array of instruments, even spoons, they tenderly evoke both the uplifting
and bleak essences of Guthrie’s music. The subtle staging, mainly involving close
knit formations, elicits the sense of togetherness and solidarity which is the
lifeblood of Guthrie’s songs. This spirit whole-heartedly infects the audience who
unite in a sprightly sing-along without an ounce of hesitation; the sense of uplifting
concord that his music inspired is clear in an instant. Woody Sez illustrates the stimulation and unity that music is
capable of achieving and it’s a breath of fresh air in stark contrast to the
mechanical chart hits churned out at present. The production reminds us of a
way to actively unite and respond to our own financially and politically
challenging times, reminiscent of Woody’s background. Lutken aptly recites the
words of Woody: “There’s a difference between wanting something to stop and
wanting to stop it”.
The evening is an easy-going, skillful, account of the
life and music of Woody Guthrie which fittingly makes for a moving tribute to
the abundantly charming man in question. Woody
Sez is a delightful performance oozing with inspiration. It’s ‘made for you
and me’.
This production has now closed.
For more information on the venue: http://www.fairfield.co.uk
@FairfieldHalls
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