Songs for a New World – Indigo Co
WHAT a breath if fresh air this production by Indigo Arts of Jason Robert Brown’s Broadway smash hit is.
Staged in a pop-up theatre in Millward Square in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, it was pinch yourself time to think this was happening right here in Redditch with a fantastic ensemble of singers, musicians and technical staff.
The company has taken over an empty shop unit and made it their own, creating an amazingly intimate space which brilliantly brought the highs and lows, the drama and the angst of the show’s heartfelt songs straight to the audience.
Billed as a song cycle and built around the theme of one decisive, life changing moment – something that has happened to all of us – we started off with the combined ensemble together on the high seas heading West and looking for a new world, yet plagued by crewmen wanting to turn back rather than risk it all.
From there the action swiftly moves forward, covering in a variety of musical styles, a range of life changing decisions, including a brilliant skit featuring a wife on a window ledge who, ignored by her husband is threatening to jump to get his attention.
Other highlights include a wife who married for money not love and beginning to regret the decision she made and a rather splendid duet by two down-and-outs reflecting on their different views on how fate has affected them.
Throughout the three piece live band were right on cue and I loved the backdrop and lighting too and it all built to a moving finale of soaring harmonies that brought the curtain down on a great night out.
Criticisms? Sometimes it was hard to distinguish the lyrics but that’s a minor quibble, particularly as the theme of the song was easy to pick up, otherwise this is a gem of a show.
It’s on tonight and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday, July 22/23) and tickets are £9.50, less for children on the door or at www.ticketsource.co.uk/indigoarts . There’s also a bar and a raffle at the venue to enjoy too.
Ross Crawford
