Harry! is a musical set in a drama studio and within the warehouse and offices of Cardboard Boxes plc. Harry (Ben Edmonds) gets news of the death of his father (Dimitri Portier), and when he returns home he finds everything is not as it should be. There is suspicion over the death, and his mother Vanessa (Emily Hurdiss) is going to marry his Uncle Claud (Chris Jamieson), who is taking over the company. Harry has to grow up fast, forget about his theatrical career, and learn about the family business. Ghosts from the past - including his twin brother Henry (Henry Southern) - haunt Harry. Old friend Olivia (Catriona Till) arrives to give him solace. But are they as they seem? Who killed Harry's father? What is Uncle Claud hiding?

The whole cast take to the stage for the opening number, and it soon becomes apparent that this is a technically-solid production. Behind the set is a live band, lighting is slick, and the cast are miked. Dancing routines are faultlessly choreographed, and the cast are very professional in the execution of the play. Sadly, it lacks conviction and emotion. Characters are two dimensional, lacking depth and tension.

It's hard to fault the intention of the piece, but it's over-long at two hours; and if it wasn't for the programme explaining the plot, it would be even more confusing. There is no dialogue, every scene has its own song, but there is no cohesion. Although the play is supposed to be set in the recent past, costumes are from different eras; there is a mixture of genres (vaudeville, melodrama, modernity and chorus-line) - rather than gelling, it jars. The two clerks, twins Bill (Hugh Ferguson) and Jack (James Sutcliffe) are wonderfully creepy in their matching blazers and boaters as they spy on and try to befriend Harry. The musicians are the unsung heroes - it's a shame that they aren't give their own curtain-call. Harry! tries too hard to be innovative, falling short of the modern day Hamlet (as claimed in the programme). Ccharacters aren't engaging or endearing. The show's hype says 'something quite sensational is about to happen'. It doesn't.

Band: (instrument alpha order): Bassoon - Kristian Holden. Cello - Steve Johanson. Clarinet / Saxophone - Alex Collins. Drums - Tristan Kruth. French Horn - Stephen Craigen. Flute - Emmanuelle degli Eposti. Keyboards - John Moore, Mike Webb. Oboe / Saxophone - Robert Collins. Percussion - Dominic Byron-Chance. Trombone - Quirin Kellner. Trumpet - Edmund Higham. Viola - Elliott Whittaker. Violins - Chris Cox, Eleanor Hudson, Dympna Nightingale.

Company: Writer - Peter Fanning. Lyrics - Peter Fanning. Director - Peter Fanning. Music - John Moore. Musical Director - John Moore. Assistant Director - Dimitri Portier. Choreography - Sara Hankin. Magic Effects - Gareth Jenkins. Technical Director - James Lyons. Lighting - Oscar Wyatt. Lighting Assistants - Adam Cartwright, Will Cowling. Follow Spots - Andrew Hurcomb, Peter Nightingale. Sound - Sam Granger. Sound Assistant - Ed Johnson. Stage Manager - Tom Allen. Assistant Stage Manager - Rob Davies. Props - Patrick Macarthy Morrough, Dimitri Portier. Wardrobe - Jane Fanning. Make-up - Christine Samworth. Programme - Carol Grivell. Publicity - Jack Fanning, Toby Percival, Dimitri Portier. Tour Manager - Toby Percival. Producer - uncredited. Company - Shrewsbury School. Website - www.shrewsbury.org.uk

END

(c) Lea Harris 2008

reviewed Wednesday 13 August 08 / Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, Edinburgh

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com