The future of theatre is bright indeed as See It. Say It. Sorted. The Musical rolls into Capital City College with minimal dramaturgical delays. Part of Bloomsbury Festival’s New Wave programme for emerging talent, the production does exactly as you’d hope from such a tantalising title, turning the mundanity of TFL into a poignant musical comedy with more than enough heart to leave you smiling long after the last notes are played.
Written by Lewis Long, the musical follows five travellers whose already delayed journeys are brought to a screeching halt when they discover an unattended bag at King’s Cross Station, prompting a round of questioning and enforced proximity that leads them to learn about themselves and each other. It’s a clever premise that allows for some exploration of what motivates these characters, what their stories are, and what they bring out in each other. While some of the revelations and character conflicts don’t particularly land, and there are recurring issues with tone, the dialogue is full of witty one-liners and intriguing moments of tension, ensuring that the play remains engaging throughout.
The cast is full of promising performances, with each player bringing their own unique charm to their characters. Rudi Rance gives a brilliantly funny turn as Stanley, never failing to gain a laugh as the principal torturer of the group while skilfully navigating the character’s quieter moments; Harry Rennell deftly plays the role of Rich, the hapless, yet well-meaning husband of Ashley New’s perpetually stressed Jules, who is brought to life with an abundance of energy and commitment; Chris Lee proves to be a highly effective grounding presence for the cast, always there to provide some necessary pathos and dry wit, balancing out the more slapstick comedic moments; Leah Dawson’s Sophie has a quiet start, but increasingly delivers some of the most emotional moments of the musical, and Luke Michels rounds out the cast as Sam, the Energiser Bunny heart of the cast, dancing through each of his scenes with an impressive balance of humour and piteousness. It’s a wonderfully well-rounded cast full of charisma, likability, and capability that will no doubt serve them well for the future.
While the songs aren’t perhaps the most memorable, Eve Edwards’ music and lyrics work in tandem with Harry O’Donovan’s orchestration to keep the Capital City College audience engaged with some toe-tapping numbers. See It. Say It. Sorted. The Musical struggles slightly with some shaky singing, but there are plenty of witty lyrics, and the songs give a satisfying payoff to heightened emotional moments.
Overall, See It. Say It. Sorted. The Musical is a delightful showcase of impressive talent that more than makes up for its flaws with charming performances and a sweet, Breakfast Club-esque dedication to exploring the complex lives of its characters. The production earns each laugh and every round of applause and does more than enough to prove itself a worthy addition to the Bloomsbury Festival.
More information can be found here
