REVIEW: Liverpool Empire Youth Musical Theatre Company Presents RENT

On Friday 26th July, Liverpool Empire Youth musical theatre company took to the stage to deliver a rousing performance of RENT. Based on the 1996 Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway show and lyrical creation of the late Johnathan Larson, the performance was a riotous affair showcasing the incredible talent of the Liverpool youth theatre company. The original show won four Tony Awards and was never seen by Larson who died of an aortic aneurysm shortly after the final dress rehearsal.

The late Larson went through great personal sacrifice to complete the original Broadway show which was an update to Puccini's La Boheme and a modern Rock opera telling the story of friends struggling to live and create amidst homelessness, addiction, HIV/AIDS, social tension and political unrest. The show is a poignant reminder that tomorrow is never promised and that life is about fully living the experience.

We meet the New York housemates Mark Cohen (Jamil Abbasi) and Roger Davis (Alex Hayden) who are unable to pay their rent to their landlord Benny (Charlie Douglas). Mark's former girlfriend Maureen (Charlie Mae McKevitt) embarks on a lesbian relationship with lover Joanne (Mica Sefia). However, Mark and Joanne bond when the new lesbian relationship undergoes challenge. In the meantime, love develops on the streets of New York as Angel (Kai Grosscurth) and Tom (Will Callan) develop a powerful connection.





















The talented cast is made up of 37 performers aged 16-19 years and it is so easy to forget their tender ages when you see the quality of their delivery. It is mind-blowing to see such young actors portray such raw emotion and to be so proficient in their portrayal of the key characters who are facing some serious adult decisions. The subject matter is a serious one and the whole creative process from rehearsal to execution a demanding one which the young stars rose to impeccably. What is astounding is the way that the cast sensitively present topics around challenges and struggle in the LGBTQ community despite their tender years and lack of real life experience in those areas.

The whole show is completely sung through which would have made it more difficult for the cast to remember the cues in the absence of spoken scenes. In spite of this, the scenes were seamless and the flow was uninterrupted. Act one was a little confusing as the scene was set and we the audience learnt about the key characters and their relationship with each other. That said, the speed of the first act and the strength of the cast allowed the audience to enjoy the emotional roller coaster of the first half. The performers were highly confident and so talented in their portrayal of the 8 characters. Some 50 years after the Stonewall riots - the tipping point for the LGBTQ & liberation movement, the show was a fitting tribute to the spirit of queer liberation. The city of Liverpool with its talented youth musical theatre paid homage to the LGBTQ movement with pride.

Kudos to Natalie Flynn (Director) for leading the creative process in such a passionate way empowering young people of Liverpool from different backgrounds and facilitating participation. Hayley Rose Rooney (Choreographer) and musical director Paul Lawton also form part of the fabulous creative team.

The vocals were strong throughout. The principals and ensemble were outstanding and the score impressive and electric. Congratulations to the Liverpool Empire Youth Musical theatre company for delivering a performance of such incredible high quality. It was energetic, emotive and highly polished.

The show runs from Fri 26th Jul to Saturday 27th July and tickets can be purchased here