I went to see the world premier of Carnival Dreams at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon last night (February 3) expecting to see a musical about dance.
In a way it was but in reality it was much more; a modern-day fable about the importance of community and how communities that don’t challenge discrimination, bigotry and prejudice live to pay the price.
It’s Carnival time in Argentina and a small community dance group are busy preparing for the Samba competition which takes place during Carnival each year.
Will they or won’t they win the prize for best dance group at carnival? This storyline creates the framework for the narrative that follows.
They are tutored by Jose, a bible-quoting misogynist who physically and mentally abuses his wife Teresa, humiliates camp drag queen Carmen and is determined to stop the budding romance between his daughter Cristina and her young lover Duarte, whose only crime is the colour of his skin.
To take on issues such as domestic violence, racism and homophobia in a musical format and not trivialise them is a massive undertaking, putting a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the writers.
Both the librettist, Norman Mark and composer Robert Orledge are Brighton based and successfully rise to the challenge. The libretto is honest, engaging and clear while the musical score is respectful of the underlying subject matter and features some fine numbers including the hauntingly beautiful One Life.
Cristina is ultimately stabbed by her father Jose and dies in true Romeo and Juliet style after escaping with her mother, Teresa.
The dance group pull themselves together and go on to dance at Carnival without the dead Cristina. Even though they don’t win the trophy in the dance competition they receive a special memorial trophy for the Most Inspiring Dance School in memory of the murdered Cristina. You really don’t have to be the best all the time to get a prize!
Nicholas Ransley plays Jose beautifully, successfully managing to make the audience despise him. Jose is odious and nasty but when Nicholas sings he has a lovely operatic voice, the contrast between the character and his singing voice is startling. He was roundly hissed on his curtain call, evidence of a great villain.
Cheryl Fergison, Heather from EastEnders plays Jose’s wife Teresa. She is a classic victim of domestic violence. Jose controls her physically and emotionally with Teresa always making excuses for his bad behaviour to anyone and everyone who will listen. Cheryl makes a very convincing victim.
Connie Jackson and Kit Esuruoso provide the love interest that is Cristina and Duarte. Both are vocally very sound and their relationship is believable as is the role of Maria the neighbour, played by a feisty Liz Watts-Legg. Liz is our conscience, the voice of reason and the only person to stand up to Jose the bully.
With such serious subject matter lighter moments are very important to the unfolding drama. These were provided by Tom Whalley who plays Carmen, a camp, theatrical drag queen. Tom never over steps the mark with his characterisation, and treads a very careful line, while managing not to create a stereotypical image of a gay person suffering from low self-esteem, which often is a temptation. Carmen has talent, heart and confidently puts it out there like so many drag queens I know.
The staging, evocative of a Buenos Aires suburb creates a colourful backdrop to the drama, but at times the sound was a little muffled. This needs sorting out as the text is so important in following the unfolding social themes that drive the story, rather than the dance storyline.
Structurally I felt the show was missing a number at the end to lead into the all singing dancing finale, explaining how if everyone had challenged the obvious discrimination, bullying, racism and homophobia of Jose, Cristina might well still be alive. I also think that some of the arrangements could have benefited from the use of more latin rhythms and sounds.
Carnival Dreams the Musical brings together a sound ensemble of singers and dancers to provide a really challenging night at the theatre.
For more information, click here:
Show runs till February 6.
To book tickets online, click here:
You must be logged in to post a comment.