Review – Godspell

✭✭✭✭✩  Casts a spell

Forth Childrens Theatre production of Godspell. Photo © Mark Gorman

Inverleith Church Hall (Venue 120)
Fri 2-Sat 10 Aug
Review by Hugh Simpson

Godspell may be a Fringe stalwart but FCT’s production at Inverleith Church Hall is particularly noteworthy. And not just because it is the first British appearance of the new vocal and musical arrangemements from the 2012 Broadway revival.

Gus Harrower (Jesus) is not a conventional choice for a leading man in a musical. Noticeably shorter than most of the cast, when he first takes the stage his large glasses and accent put you more in mind of Woody Allen.

However, his understated yet commanding performance, allied to his undoubted musical talent, means that he is able to bear the weight of a thankless role.

There is a problem with the second half of Godspell – quite frankly, the best songs all come in Act One, and the presentation of the Passion can seem worthy and slow. But not on this occasion, when Harrower’s performance displays a touching vulnerability which helps keep the show moving.

In the only other named role, Ronan Rafferty shows great stage presence, first calm and poised as John the Baptist, then suitably tortured as Judas. The other principal members of the cast all seize their chance when it is their turn in the spotlight.

Harmony Rose-Bremner sets the tone early with Day By Day. As the show’s most famous number, this could be the most daunting, but her admirable combination of power and restraint is as much in evidence here as it is in the rest of her performance. Eve Thomas-Yates similarly demonstrates not only that she possesses vocal power, but also that she knows when to use it.

It is the ensemble which is the real star of the show

Forth Childrens Theatre production of Godspell. Photo © Mark Gorman

Maya Stewart, Hayley Scott and Sophie Williams all combine strong voices with assured acting, while Reuben Woolard and Max Cutting both display a combination of authority and emotion. Charlie West and Alex Gordon, meanwhile, combine likeability and assured physical comedy in their double act. The band, under MDs Dan Glover and Claire Saunders, are extremely accomplished, but occasionally the sound levels need a little tweaking in order not to drown out the singers.

Director Ronan Radin has said that Godspell is about the forming of a community as much as it is about religion, so it is fitting that it is the ensemble which is the real star of the show here. As well as making excellent use of the space, Radin uses everyone’s talents to the full, whether in dancing, acting or comedy.

The presentation of the parables is imaginative; audience interaction and local and topical references are all the more impressive for being lightly worn. Alex Bathe’s cameo as the fatted calf is only one of a number of noteworthy contributions, but there are no weak links here. The accents, the singing, the energy levels – all remain consistent throughout.

The decision to use a thrust stage means that the cast are always up close to the audience and there literally is nowhere for them to hide. For much of the performance, more than 30 members of the cast are performing Katie Renton’s beautifully thought-out choreography in a space which, at first sight, seems hardly big enough for so many people to stand still – let alone move and sing with such skill, gusto and infectious enjoyment.

Running time 2 hrs 25 mins
Run ends Sat 10 Aug
Tickets: www.edfringe.com
Inverleith Church Hall, Inverleith Gardens, Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH3 5PR
Forth Childrens Theatre website: forthchildrenstheatre.wordpress.com

ENDS

Tags: #EdFringe, Amateurs, EdFringe 2013, FCT, Forth Children's Theatre, Godspell, Gus Harrower, Hugh Simpson, Made In Edinburgh, Musicals, Review, Ronan Radin