A poignant tale of redemption and resilience, The Realness is a new urban musical at The Big House. With a book by Maureen Chadwick and David Watson and a catchy score from Kath Gotts, The Realness’s unflinching portrayal of life on the streets of East London makes it a must-see with real heart.
The Big House is a charity that works with care leavers. The 18-strong cast is made up of professionals and Big House participants, but each performance is committed and compelling and the ensemble has real panache. Director Maggie Norris’ zingy staging is inclusive, thought-provoking, and very exciting.
Jay Johnson, played by the magnetic Jake Walden, is determined to break free from the cycle of crime that has ensnared him since childhood. Fresh out of prison, Jay is committed to staying on the straight and narrow, but his new job as a road sweep gives him no satisfaction (‘I’m literally a wasteman’) and the temptation of easy money and allure of the familiar prove too strong to resist.
As Jay’s life spirals out of control, he is confronted with the stark reality of his choices and the devastating consequences they have on those around him. Plagued by the guilt of bearing witness to a stray bullet, Jay’s descent into drug addiction in act two is rapid. Slumped on the floor, singing ‘Shortcut to Heaven’, Jay shoots up heroin as the chorus transitions from burying a baby into a fever dream in a moment of theatrical brilliance.
The show’s female characters, particularly Jay’s mother (Amanda Posener, who’s voice is the soul of the show) and his on-off girlfriend, Shanice (Anais Lone), are portrayed with empathy, complexity and skill.
We first meet Shanice with a chorus of pram-pushing, eye-rolling friends, and Lone steals the show with the raw depth of her voice and her compelling, unrelenting belief in Jay.
The Realness pulls no punches. The score, ranging from rap to gospel, captures the energy and intensity of the story, while the set, designed by Tina Torbey, is both intimate and immersive, with creative video design from Mic Pool situating the musical squarely in London.
Despite its length, the show rattles rapidly to its conclusion, with a final toe-tapping reprise of Charmel Koloko’s hilarious ‘Ticket Man.’
As its title suggests, The Realness asks what’s legit in a world where drugs, money, sex, and crime can take over and sweep a person away and what choices can we make when it feels like we’re at the end of the line.
Ultimately, it’s a story of hope and transformation. Jay’s journey is a testament to the redemptive power of the human spirit. Whether you’re a fan of musical theatre or simply seeking a thoughtful and emotionally charged show with purpose, The Realness will leave a lasting – and real – impression.
The Realness is at The Big House until 9th December 2023.
