Music and Lyrics: Bob Dylan
Writer and Director: Conor McPherson
You can hardly describe Bob Dylan as a musicals musician but this is the 2nd show to feature his songs using the triple threat treatment. The trippy dream-like Times They Are a Changin’ closed after only 28 Broadway performances.
Not your typical jukebox musical, Girl From the North Country eschews the conventional musical bling, proving all that glitters isn’t gold.
When the tour was announced this critic was anxious to see it given the success and critical acclaim on its first outing at the Noel Coward Theatre in London – and what a show that was! This eagerly anticipated offering at the York Theatre Royal does not disappoint.
Set in a wintry guest house in Duluth, Minnesota – the birthplace of Dylan – this stripped back version allows the visceral and painfully sincere performances to be the focus. Superbly written and directed by Conor McPherson this scaled down tour is both heart-warming and thought provoking in equal measure.
When theatre can bring so much pain and, at the same time, so much joy, that is the work of a genius. Life affirming or, rather, life-changing theatre doesn’t come around all that often but this show, and especially the performances, has really hit the mark.
The guesthouse setting brings a broad swathe of society together. Owned by Nick and Elizabeth most of the action is played out here – and what a time for this story to be told.
Frances McNamee is brilliant. She brings a certain warmth and sensitivity to Elizabeth, who struggles to control her dementia. She displays a real sense of ownership and, as her character’s illness plays out, she fully engages her audience with strong physicality and poise.
Justina Kehinde’s Marianne gives a powerful performance as an adopted black daughter in an otherwise white household. The raw energy on her journey for truth is both controlled and believable.
One is excited to follow the theatrical journey of Gregor Milne. He’s a fine actor and, though in his professional debut, he gives just the right amount of grit and necessity to the role of Gene – definitely one to watch.
The musical arrangements are spine tingling, whether singing a Capella or as part of the deft actor-musicianship; the collective voices are captivating.
If, like this critic, you saw this theatrical masterclass in London or whether you’ll be seeing it for the first time on tour you will not be disappointed – if you haven’t booked your tickets yet, what are you waiting for?!
This show hits you like a howlin’ Minnesota wind. Bravo.
Runs until 10th September 2022, before continuing on tour.
3 Comments
“Girl From The North Country” did not have its first outing at the Noel Coward Theatre, London. It opened at the Old Vic and the production subsequently transferred to the Noel Coward Theatre.
For this touring production the show has been significantly reimagined in the way it is staged. This is wholly to the show’s detriment in my opinion. There was a sense of lives and time running out in the original production which has been lost completely in this new staging.
Casting singers who can act (a bit) rather than actors who can perform/act in character when they sing is another reason why the theatrical magic of the original production is almost entirely absent in this disappointing touring version.
Quite simply magnificent. This was our excuse for a three day visit to York. I should say that I’ve been a Dylan fan for 41 years and firmly believe that no-one sings Dylan like Dylan so I had reservations. My wife and I went to the Wednesday evening show on the 7th – sadly the day before the queen’s death. I am not a regular theatre goer, having been disappointed in the past but this simply blew my socks off. No second takes here – the acting and musicianship were faultless with great versions of hallowed Dylan originals. We were both reduced to tears on a couple of occasions due to the intensity of the performances. Amazingly talented actors who were also musicians, we are about to book again. Thank you to all involved, we’re still talking about it days later despite world-shaking events.
Having just watched the performance at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester I agree that it’s a great show. I was into it from the opening song Sign on the Porch to the rapturous standing ovation at the end. It’s a story of people in a bad situation that gets worse but, even so utterly enjoyable.
The acting, singing, dancing and musicianship were all top notch.
For me the best in the show goes to the actress who played Elizabeth. Captivating.