I was back at the Lyric Hammersmith last week for the opening of ‘Sing Street’! Based on John Carney’s 2016 film of the same name, the musical follows schoolboy Conor (Sheridan Townsley) who claims to be in a boy band to impress his mysterious crush, Raphina (Grace Collender). Set in 1980s Dublin, the show is a real blast of 80s rock, rage and youthful hope. Although the second half is weaker than the first, the musical’s biggest selling point is its talented company and its homage to the culture and music of the 80s.
The show is unique in its style. Using high quality projections, and a camera with a live link to the back of the stage, the show is wonderfully immersive, and gives it an authentic feel that is reminiscent of 80s television. Although the story of the first act is simple, make the band to get the girl, the momentum is strong and there is plenty of humour in it. Conor’s motley band, and their 80s costumes, provide plenty of laughs, even though there are too many members to truly get to know any of them. The way that Raphina is introduced, gliding onto the stage in a phone box, is suitably fun and ethereal.
The first act builds to a crowd-pleasing crescendo, with Conor successfully wooing Raphina, both of which have a touching, and believable chemistry. The performances all round are incredibly strong, and this multi-talented group of young actors is certainly one to watch.
However, it is the second act that falters, as the premise of the show is complete – Raphina is won. The songs still inspire and impress, but in-between there is a bit of a plot vacuum. The show never quite manages to capitalise on the dramatic themes that it touches on, including poverty, incest and bullying. We keep being told that Dublin is ‘dead end,’ but we never actually know why. Conor’s parents also split up in a scene that feels slightly underwhelming.
This act preoccupies itself with defeating Lloyd Hutchinson’s Brother Baxter, who, up until this point, has had a relatively small role. Although the boys do triumph, staging a concert at their school despite Baxter’s protests, the thread is not as strong as Conor’s pursuit of Raphina. At the end, Raphina and Conor decide to go to London to try and make it in the music industry.
Although I’m slightly concerned as to whether Raphina and Conor will survive the crossing in Conor’s grandads’ boat, this hopeful energy is consistent throughout the musical, and the performances of the core cast make it easy to get behind them in their endeavours. It is when the cast flex their musical muscles on stage that the production truly soars, and the show is worth seeing for that, as well as its blast of 80s nostalgia.
3/5
Thanks for reading!
‘Sing Street’ is playing at the Lyric Hammersmith until August 23rd!
Tickets: https://lyric.co.uk/shows/sing-street/#performances
Photography by Manuel Harlan
Khambay's Words, Words, Words 