Musical review: Great British soap opera

Published on Monday 24 August 2009 18:56

THE GREAT BRITISH SOAP OPERA

MUSICAL THEATRE @ GEORGE SQUARE (VENUE 37)

THERE'S a misconception that soap operas and musicals are easy to write but, in reality, to do either well takes talent. So it's even more impressive that Take Note Theatre (behind last year's popular Jet Set Go!) here combine the genres so effortlessly to create a compelling melodrama and an excellently observed pastiche of the musical theatre form.

Meet the cast of Victoria Square, a place not dissimilar to another square from television soap-land with which you might be familiar (although this one is very much based in the North West). There's lots of great down-to-earth dialogue as a consequence, along with characters who brilliantly contrast with the perceived glamour of B-list stardom.

Actress Jenny is the sultry regular on the Square, playing the kind of dark-haired temptress men love and women despise (at least in soaps). When new girl Sophie threatens to knock Jenny off her pedestal with one kick of a thigh-high boot, jealousy takes hold.

Jenny also happens to be secretly dating hunky Josh, her on-screen brother – something the press must never find out – but since Sophie doesn't know this she makes a move on him, gets seen and an almighty fracas ensues.

This is essentially a comedy of mix-ups – a traditional farce where everyone gets the wrong end of the stick and things escalate with growing hilarity. However, there's a sophisticated structure underpinning the story in which "real" life and TV fiction run as parallels. It's all great fun, surprisingly clever and just like a real soap you'll find yourself getting drawn in despite yourself.

The cast are all terrific, the choreography and direction (by Luke Sheppard) are sharp, and writer Jake Brunger carefully treads the line between subtle parody and emotional integrity. The song lyrics (by Brunger and Pippa Cleary) are very funny, while Cleary's musical score leads to some foot-tapping catchy numbers. There's even a topical conclusion to give anyone who's sick of hearing about the recession a boost. It's not often that you can get all this from a soap opera – or even a piece of theatre.

SALLY STOTT

Until 30 August. Tomorrow 3:45pm.