It's a fine line between passion and a restraining order.

Love is ..... remember the cartoons??

Well, best forget them now because if you are to believe the message of Sondheim's Passion, it`s probably best to run for the hills when romance comes calling.  Unless its in the form of David Thaxton of course, then you would be forgiven for opening the door and inviting him up for coffee.

Tamsin has said our review cannot be all about his pants though, so we will write about the show first.

It`s dark.  Positively claustrophobic, intense and suffocating.  Not a feel good show then.
This was our first time in the intimate setting of the Donmar Warehouse, and the tiny space is perfect for this production with its themes of tortured love, yearning, and ultimately madness.  As we sit here writing this review, Will Young is singing "Leave right now" on Sad FM.  How apt. 
Not meaning that we wanted to leave at any point, but it is advice that Giorgio should probably have heeded early on.  Would he listen? Would he 'eckaslike.  He was too nice you see.  Eager to please like a likkle puppy, he ignored the warnings of his fellow officers and made a new friend.  Skeletor Fosca.
Wrong decision.

We really enjoyed the production, the singing / acting / staging were all really impressive in their honesty & simplicity.  So what didn't we like? Well, basically the score.  Apart from a couple of exceptions (the songs after everyone goes mad and the soldiers marching numbers) the score is pretty bland and unmemorable.  Almost abstract.  We are sure Sondheim fans would disagree, but we are musical girls through and through and love a rollicking tune.  (Do you hear the people sing anyone??)
It's a strange thing really....everyone is singing but the songs seem to be missing. Where are the melodies?  The refrains and hummable bits?  Are we shallow to expect this from a musical? Maybe. But we are simple creatures who don't want to have to concentrate to find the melody in the madness.  We could tell from the audience we were probably alone in this and thought it best to hide our sparkly wings under our seats and get down to the serious business of musical appreciation. Bravo.

But to be honest - although it's quite a biggie - the score did not spoil our experience or enjoyment of the production & the stellar performances.  They really are well cast, subtle despite the unsubtle nature of the subject matter - and Elena Roger brings a truth to a truly odd character, making it believable that the handsome officer would give up his ravishing mistress to be with Fosca in her warped world.  But then of course she dies on him. Bummer.  Such a powerful voice (esp the screaming....) for such a teeny tiny person.  Wow. The ensemble give solid and entertaining performances, and deserve a special mention for enthusiastically tucking into some of the most revolting looking food we have ever seen.  No wonder Fosca never comes down for dinner.
Scarlett Strallen as Clara stunned us with her ethereal beauty, making us utterly self-flagellating and depressed right up until the point she drooled all over the stage during a particularly long bar.  See, she is human.  As are we, who merely drool at the sight of David Thaxton in his skivvies.  See, told you we were shallow.

Obviously, he is more than the sum of his pants, so we will review in full.  Having seen him previously as Enjolras in Les Miserables, we knew what to expect.  Although the score didn't give him scope to exercise his vocal ability to full capacity, the tone of his voice is full, rich, and commanding.  He also commands the stage and has a sensitive, gentle take on the role which makes his descent an uncomfortable ride.  In places quite disturbing to watch but making the character vulnerable enough that you still want to give him a hug & take him away from it all.  In fact the whole premise of noone being entirely responsible for their own actions does make you want to scream at them, so guess it must have touched a nerve...

All in all, glad we saw it - can't call it entertaining in the truest sense, but it's not supposed to be.  Its supposed to make you think, and it does.

So we bought Heat magazine on the way home as light relief.   

Phew.