As the country adjusts from Blair to Brown, Io Theatre Company celebrate and satirise the events when Tony Blair was Prime Minister.

The songs and scenes of the show are a trip down recent political history. The cast recount the major incidents of Blair's leadership. These include the death of Diana, foot and mouth, Millennium Dome blunders, the birth of Leo Blair and the War in Iraq. Tony Blair - The Musical covers Blair's election in 1997 to his 2007 resignation. It is not gratifying as a retrospective due to its inconsistent approach. The musical swings between ridiculing Blair and sympathising with him. One minute it portrays a homoerotic relationship between Blair and Gordon Brown, the next has Blair argue seriously the ethics of war. It is difficult to reconcile a character that is sending notes making fun of Claire Short's dress sense and a few moments later is expounding on the war on terror. Io Theatre needs to come down on one side or the other.

With low production values and little in the way of set and costume, Tony Blair - The Musical is erratic in quality. The feeble script is saved by a very talented cast. Claire Trusson is outstanding as Claire Short, consistently funny, yet never a caricature. She alone manages to create realism within her character and is plausible and convincing. Paul Sockett provides a strong cameo as a coarse John Prescott and Anton Tweedale as a blundering David Blunkett. The highlight of the show is David Blunkett accompanied by a puppet guide dog, arguing for all illegal immigrants to be imprisoned in the Millennium Dome.

The show is most successful when lampooning politicians. Earnest moments are hard to digest sounding preachy in the comic scenes. In particularly bad taste was a song about 11 September, followed by a number about Michael Howard having a face like an 'arse'. Writer James Lark is funny but not insightful. A low-point is the Blair/Christ allusions made at the end.

The music and singing of the show is beautifully arranged and performed. All of the company are excellent singers, with exquisite harmonies and tunes abounding. Lyrics though are often weak and repetitive. Many songs fail to carry the story forward. The show feels too long. Tony Blair The Musical works best when at its silliest. A George Bush hoe down entitled 'We Want a War' is riotous and catchy. It is a shame the show does not contain more moments like it. A wonderful cast and some sparkling moments cannot save this musical from being unexceptional.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Danielle Fenemore - Harriet Harman / Reporter 1. Nathan Kiley - Tony Blair. James Lark - Gordon Brown. Ian McFarlane - Robin Cook / Reporter 2. Rosanne Priest - Tessa Jowell / Reporter 4. Paul Sockett - John Prescott / Reporter 3. Claire Trusson - Clare Short. Anton Tweedale - David Blunkett / George W Bush.

Company Credits: Lyrics, Music, Book - James Lark. Director - Delyth Jones. Orchestrations and Musical Director - Christopher Mundy. Keyboard - Richard Bates. Synthesiser - Christopher Mundy/Nick Sutcliffe. Sound Design - Nick Sutcliffe. Lighting Design - Simon Hicks. Company - Io Theatre Company.

END

(c) Sara Pascoe 2007

Reviewed Tuesday 7 Aug 2007 / Gilded Balloon

Subeditor - Peter Andrews

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008