REVIEW: Rent

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

The Hub Theatre, Southampton

SET in the late 1980s under the shadow of AIDS, this gritty New York set musical, based on Puccini's La Bohéme, focuses on the lives of a group of artistic friends in the East Village.

An impressive set made great use of the compact stage set, brilliantly evoking the sense of place and period.

Director Michelle Smith has produced a fast paced and dynamic production that was brilliantly realised in all its elements. There was a great deal of heart and soul in the storytelling creating a compelling, moving story that gripped the audience.

The musical numbers have been directed with flair and panache. The choreography, particularly of the larger set numbers, was sharply done.

The performances were deeply impressive, illustrating a mastery of the material, the talent and the stagecraft of all those involved. Melissa Pay was extraordinary as the fragile, tragic Mimi.

A great show.

Karen Robson

Apology:

The Daily Echo would like to apologise for incorrectly stating in a previous edition that this show was a production by Barton Peveril Sixth Form College.