Book: David West Read
Music: Roy Orbison
Director: Luke Sheppard
If you see nothing else this year; SEE THIS. Brand new musical In Dreams at Leeds Playhouse has everything. Laughter, tears, heart, soul and dancing.
Anybody who knows the music of Roy Orbison knows he did not shy away from the difficult subjects; and neither does In Dreams. Set in New Mexico, we follow the story of Kenna. A washed up musician, who receives the news that she has cancer, and is facing her own mortality.
Kenna decides to throw one last party and enlists the help of a café, whose Mexican owners throwing funeral celebrations with Ofrenda, Calavera and Pan de Muerto in the tradition of El Dia Del Muerto: Day of the Dead.
With the help of the family run café owners, Kenna contacts her old band mates, who answer the call and gather together for a going away party for Kenna, under the illusion that Kenna is moving to Mexico. When the truth breaks and they discover that Kenna is potentially dying, there is heartbreak, tears and anger.
However, this is not a sad show. Far from it, it is warming and uplifting. Utilising some of the greatest hits of the 20th century, this musical “encourages us to reflect on life, the power of community and the impact of the choices we make” in the words of the venue’s Artistic Director James Brining.
Leeds Playhouse, with Emmy award winning Canadian television writer, playwright and producer David West Read (Schitts Creek, & Juliet), have assembled a dream team for this world premiere. Award winning set designer Arnulfo Maldonado has utilised colour and light perfectly to create a magical backdrop that is at the same time a dream and a reality. With choreography by Olivier nominee Fabian Aloise which fells homely and well placed throughout, at times comical, raucous and at other times touching and poignant.
But the biggest treat for the audience is the incredible performance of Lena Hall as Kenna. Hall is a Tony award winning and Grammy nominated actor and singer, known for portraying Miss Audrey in Sci-fi drama Snowpiercer. Hall gives a blistering performance, wrenching up every ounce of emotion through her powerhouse vocals, and still giving enough ease to allow the audience to laugh with her while she faces one of life’s toughest challenges. Hall is measured, calm, funny, angry, distraught, in love and out of love; sometimes all within the same scene. She is a lesson in how musical theatre should be.
Hall is not let down by any part of the company on stage. The talents of Oliver Tompsett as soppy Uber driving love interest Ramsey, and Sian Reece-Williams and Noel Sullivan as married couple Jane and Donovan, complete the band’s line up. With all four multi-talented performers not only singing and dancing, but also playing music live from the stage. The entire company is as tight as they come.
While some jukebox musical narratives can feel a little contrived, only being used to shoehorn more hits into the show, In Dreams does not suffer this fate. Read’s book is fantastic. Well paced, believable and full of heart. He has not been afraid to give real and raw emotions through the plot, and each song feels perfectly placed for the plot.
There is nothing more to say about this world premiere performance except do not miss out! Never before has an audience laughed, cried and danced in the aisles, all in the space of a couple of hours. With incredible cast performances, a great storyline and iconic music; this show is sure to be a hit.
Runs until 5th August 2023
