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Brief awakenings: White Rose The Musical @MaryleboneTHLDN

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A fascinating and daring act of defiance in Nazi Germany by a group of university students in Munich is given a slightly perplexing rock musical treatment in White Rose, the musical. Something seems amiss in this earnest and occasionally tuneful show. It lags more than it inspires, which is surprising given the tragic and compelling history of the real-life characters the show depicts. Given that young people are increasingly likely to vote for far-right parties across Europe, it’s an opportunity to look at a time when they had a different perspective on the future. Perhaps something has been lost in the translation or the larger space of the Marylebone Theatre where it plays.  The White Rose were a group of university students in Munich who sought to undermine the Third Reich through publication of a series of pamphlets urging passive resistance to the Nazi regime. Over a brief period between June 1942 and February 1943, they distributed their pamphlets across campus using ...

Little grey pills: Be More Chill @theotherpalace

What do you do when you're a gawky young teenager trying to fit in? If you get the chance to take a particular pill from a shoe salesman that will make you more popular, why wouldn't you? And so begins an science fiction take on the high school story about trying to fit in. Where it's hard to be yourself when the voices inside your head are telling you how to fit in.  And these voices  have an uncanny resemblance to Keanu Reeves from The Matrix. With an enthusiastic cast, infectious music and a quirky take on the high school musical genre, it's fun even if you're not a devotee of the book or the social media phenomena. It’s currently playing at The Other Palace.

Be More Chill is based on a book by Ned Vizzini, which drew on his experiences at high school. Vizzini struggled with anxiety and depression throughout his life, and it led to his death by suicide in 2013.

The story translates remarkably well to stage capturing in song the doubts and struggles of the characters with everyday pressures at school. There are also some astute reflections on the limits of technology, particularly in allowing young people to grow and learn on their own.

The music and lyrics by Joe Iconis seem to grow from the text in quirks and blips. Not every song may be hummable, and lines such as "when you love someone, you put your pants on," might seem a little odd. But in the context of the show it seems plausible.

Heading up the enthusiastic cast is Scott Folan as the gawky Jeremy and Miracle Chance as the quirky Christine. Alex Basco Koch's video projections also give you the sense you're trapped with Jeremy in a game that you can't get out.

A modern update of the high school musical. Well almost modern since scenes are set in now-bankrupt stores of Payless Shoes and soon to be gone Forever 21.

Directed by Stephen Brackett, Be More Chill is at The Other Palace until 3 May.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Photos by Matthew Crockett

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