| Another great Pope/Bogdanov Welsh musical |
At Wales Theatre Company |
| Wales Theatre Company- the Contender , Swansea Grand Theatre , April 30, 2007 |
Tommy Farr didn’t actually win his world championship heavyweight fight with Joe Louis in 1937 but “he won the respect of the world and earned a place in boxing history. He was still only 23 years old but had been involved in more than 200 fights, including boxing booth bouts, when he finally faced Louis.”Mal Pope and Michael Bogdanov are well on their way to earning their place in the history of the development of Welsh theatre with this fine musical celebrating the achievements and life of the ‘Tonypandy Terror’, following on from the sell-out success of their first great new Welsh musical Amazing Grace. Once again it is the strong and driving force of Pope’s excellent and apposite music that underpins the overwhelming atmosphere and drives the show along. He brings an even greater originality to this unique score; from the solo trumpet, announcing the entry of the gladiators into the ring for the big fight, following with melodies that celebrate and define some of the central characters in the story but there are also some clever edgy notes that are so perfectly fitted to some of the difficult situations that arise in this rags to riches and back to rags again story. This is a complete cast of champions. Mike Doyle brings Tommy Farr vividly to life, as he takes us through his stubbornness, his determination, (he walks the two hundred miles from Tonypandy to London to get into the big fight game) his sensitivity and a whole range of human emotions. He brings a tremendous warmth and strength to what is both an extremely intelligent and totally captivating performance. Throughout the show powerful performances dominated the stage. Once again, even with only one leg Peter Karrie as Tommy’s mentor Joby Churchill fills the stage and brings us more than just a touch of good humour and emotion with his trade-mark, very moving singing voice. His on-going duets with Doyle get the neck hairs tingling. Equally moving duets come from Doyle and the elegant and striking Llinos Daniel as the smart débutante, Carol Montgomery, ‘Monty’ that Farr meets on the Queen Mary as he sails towards his New York destiny. Daniel’s commands the stage acting and singing with elegance, gentleness and strength, as the unlikely relationship that develops between them echoes Tommy rise to the heights of fame and with him she falls back into his poverty. But a great deal happens inbetween. Tommy’s honesty and stubbornness is too much even for the hard mobsters of new York who want him to throw the fight. The crazy crooks are lead by a tight bundle of vitality that is Phylip Harries as Don Gambaccini. His ‘operatic’ aria sung as he ‘accompanies’ himself on the grand piano, entertaining the delectable, delicious Mimi Fontaine, a mouth watering marshmallow of a performance from Sam Taylor Martin, gives this production one of the many quirky, hilarious moments that are pure ‘Bogdanov’. The coaching from the Prince of Wales amateur boxing club and regular sessions at the Novotel gym has obviously paid off, the other contenders all look very convincing and dance around the ring like seasoned professionals. They are also equally at home as gangster, ship’s passengers, bailiffs etc. slipping from character to character with consummate ease. This versatile bunch, Danny Grehan, Matt Jones, Richard Munday, Nick Peel and Gareth Richards along with Laura Clements, Catherine Olding, who plays Megan Churchill with a gentle delight, and Sam Taylor Martin make up Associate Director/Choreographer Anthony Williams’ ensemble team. The strength of Williams’ dance arrangements is that they arise naturally out of the story, they move things pacily along without standing out as obvious ‘set’ pieces. The cast is completed by a number of young children who don’t quite steal the show, though the young Tommy makes it look as if ‘Monty’ might have to endure the whole story over again. Ieuan Rhys, lends a Lordly bemusement to the events as the Marquis of Bath. And things are helped off to a ‘lovely’ start by BBC Wales’ Chris Needs, taking time off from his Friendly Garden. So another great Pope/Bogdanov Welsh musical from a magnificent all Welsh cast. The question will be asked, “Is the Wales Theatre Company ready to take on the West End? There will be quite a few hurdles to overcome and prejudices to be broken down before that can happen but the Contender with a little more precise polishing of the jewel and a tightening of the narrative certainly indicates that top quality musicals can be Made in Wales. The show comes to the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff 8 – 12 May and is at The North Wales Theatre, now known as, Venue Cymru, Llandudno 15 – 19 May. Hopefully as with Amazing Grace it will be back to pack ‘em in at The Wales Millennium Centre next year. |
Reviewed by: Michael Kelligan |
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