Louis Gaunt and Danielle Fiamanya in Brigadoon. Photo by Mark SeniorPress nights can be notoriously touch-and-go affairs given the venue’s open air setting, but an early mini-deluge failed to dampen the spirits of the cast nor the audience at the press night for the first full-scale London production of BRIGADOON in 35 years. After a swiftly executed mopping-up by dedicated crew members, Stage Manager Robert Perkins’ moment in the spotlight was done, and he received cheers and rapturous applause as he invited the cast to resume their highland tale of romance and human fidelity.
A couple of American airmen Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas (Louis Gaunt and Cavan Clarke respectively), returning from a wartime bombing raid, crash land many miles from the airstrip at Lossiemouth. Ignoring the injuries they’ve sustained, they begin a cross-country trek to find their airbase, during which they stumble across a town (literally covered by the mists of time) and begin making friends with the locals who appear to exist in something of a time warp. Tommy becomes enamoured with Fiona (Danielle Fiamanya) and, when his debilitating injuries seem to evaporate, begins speculating whether love and the mystery surrounding BRIGADOON have conspired to offer him a future. His compatriot successfully manages to deflect the energetic attentions of Meg Brockie (flirtatiously comedic Nic Myers), suggesting she is barking up the wrong tree, alluding to the possibility that he has feelings for his fellow airman. Everyone is hastily preparing for the wedding of Charlie Dalrymple (Gilli Jones making his professional debut) and Jean (Jasmine Jules Andrews) despite the anger and heartache displayed by rejected suitor Harry Beaton (Danny Nattrass) whose father Archie (Norman Bowman), valiantly attempts to keep the peace and ensure that everyone is focused on the newlyweds and their future happiness. When tragedy strikes, it threatens to impact the townsfolk's way of life and only the guidance of a sage elder, Lundie (Anne Lacey), will save the day.
Louis Gaunt (Tommy Albright), Cavan Clarke (Jeff Douglas) & cast of Brigadoon. Photo by Mark Senior.
In common with musicals like Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and Oklahoma! there is an inherent requirement for the townsfolk to appear quirkily rustic. Yet success requires that they must also pay homage to the Hollywood zing of the 1954 MGM movie, danced so effortlessly by Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. For this new adaptation by Rona Munro, director choreographer Drew McOnie has tapped the earlier routines created for the Broadway stage production by Agnes de Mille and there’s an emphasis on mellifluous ballet finesse, line and strength. This acts as a counterpoint to the impressive bagpiping amidst the audience, which opens both acts, and the wedding confrontation and flirtation scenes.
As always, the venue offers a designer unique opportunities and challenges and Basia Bińkowska’s sloping angled set adorned with clumps of heather plays a vital part in creating the sharp yet sumptuous Caledonian environment, ably supported by Jessica Hung Han Yun’s beautiful lighting design. This is further enhanced by Sami Fendall’s tartan influenced costumes, which have been created using a pastel palette.
Sarah Travis’s lush orchestrations are delivered with uber confidence by Musical Director Laura Bangay who kept the part-visible under stage orchestra and cast perfectly unified, providing an engine of continuity in a tricky acoustic space.
Technical sound problems are always a risk in an open air setting when rain threatens, and there were a few discernible issues on opening night, but they were quickly resolved. It was a testament to the fast-thinking cast that they were able to work around and overcome the challenges, ensuring that the audience got to fully enjoy this wonderful reimagining of a romantic musical classic.
Other cast members appearing in this production: Elizabeth Armstrong, Edward Baruwa, Taylor Bradshaw, Chrissy Brooke, Tanisha-Mae Brown, David Colvin, Adam Davidson, Danielle Fiamanya, Tim Hodges, Shoko Ito, Christian Knight, Robin Mackenzie, Owen McHugh, Jessie Odeleye, Eve Parsons, Bethany Tennick, Dale White and Liam Wrate.
Boasting songs including There But For You Go I, Heather On The Hill and Almost Like Being In Love, BRIGADOON continues at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre until 20th September.
