Hidden beneath Waterloo Station, The Vault is a superb venue that just bustles with creative energy during The Vault Festival. One show in particular worth catching is ‘Stay Awake, Jake’ by Tim Gilvin. The show earned Gilvin the 2014 S&S Award.
Jamie Muscato is Jake, the only character to be seen on stage. Muscato takes us on a somber journey as Jake drives overnight from London to Carlisle. The reason becomes clear as we weave back and forth in time, each song giving us another piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
Having made the same journey myself, many times (though a little bit further than Carlisle), I could easily identify with the characters tiring expedition, but the subtle lighting and sound effects would have conveyed the same message to those fortunate enough not to have made the drive themselves.
The only on-stage support for Jamie Muscato, are two superb musicians, Jo Cichonska and Maria Rodriguez,bringing the score to life.
I found myself captivated throughout, for to perform an entire musical on your own is brave. To do it as brilliantly as Jamie Muscato does – is genius.
‘Stay Awake, Jake’ can be seen at The Vault Festival until 7th February.
