The Jonathan Larson project offers a rarely seen glimpse into the late composers lesser known work in a slick, intimate staging at Southwark Playhouse Borough.
Immediately we felt in familiar territory – a piano centre stage, exposed brickwork, a projection screen, and musically, from the get go this was also the case. Southwark Playhouse is the perfect choice for this piece, and found they utilised the space perfectly. That being said, rumours of AI being used were on my mind, and that does seem to be the case in the projection of one particular number. Frankly it was uncomfortable and completely took me out of the song in which it appeared – AI in a Jonathan Larson revue, something he undoubtedly would not have been in favour of.
We open with Greene Street, sung immaculately by Max Harwood. Songs like “Valentines Day” and “Rhapsody” feel ahead of their time whilst others feel a product of their time directly. The music itself for the most part was unfamiliar, and this unfamiliarity with the work was exacerbated by both the the projections failing to give proper context to the songs, and the lyrics themselves (due to the band being particularly loud) being hard to comprehend.
Vocally, the show was brilliant – tight harmonies, excellent pop voices and gorgeous songs. Imelda Warren-Green was the standout for me, particularly her rendition of Bring out the Booze.
Where the show lacks is in it’s cohesion. This happens by the very premise of the production and is no ones fault – we’re working with a collection of unrelated songs that were never officially released by a composer still finding his footing before his untimely passing. Despite this moments to breathe, light and shade, would’ve benefitted the show greatly and perhaps assisted by reconsidering the running order.
That being said, for any fan of his work, the Jonathan Larson Project is a great night out, and left me more intrigued about his work, and more sad we lost him so soon. While it may not completely overcome the inherent challenges of its format, it serves as a fitting reminder of the extraordinary talent Larson possessed long before Rent changed musical theatre forever.
Review by Kyanna Cronshaw
The Jonathan Larson Project is on at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 22nd August. You can find out more and buy tickets here.
If you like this review you might also like my review of Jesus Christ Superstar, Operation Mincemeat and To Kill A Mockingbird.