Rent - School Edition
Review by Russell Cook from Suffolk Village Info.
The talented Co-op Juniors are currently providing a stunning performance of ‘Rent School Edition’ at The Wolsey Theatre.
Now, this is not the easiest of musicals to follow as there are so many twists and turns and ups and downs in the story line along the way. But the teenage members of the theatre company come out of it with bags of credit thanks to their enthusiasm, dynamic stage craft and huge amount of passion.
The element of remembering this script is absolutely first class and the singing, although marginally off kilter in odd spots, is on the whole excellent.
It’s the eight main characters who take the limelight in this production.
They are Sam Finan as Roger, Ed Parsons as Mark, Liam Abernethy as Collins, Kit Widdup as Benny, Katie Everett as Joanne, Jaycee Totten as Angel, Evie Darling as Mimi and Marnie Sadd as Maureen.
But there’s a host of other members of the cast, including a huge ensemble, who help to make this rock opera a memorable performance.
It’s based on Puccini’s opera La Bohème and follows the dramas of a year in the life of a group of impoverished, artistic friends living in Manhattan’s East Village.
Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, struggles to find his place in the world; his roommate Roger, an HIV-positive musician, wonders how he will leave his mark before he dies.
Mimi and Angel look for true love as they face the harsh reality of life as HIV-positive young people, while the businesslike Joanne seeks fidelity from her wild-child performance artist girlfriend, Maureen.
The group’s dreams, losses and love stories weave through the musical’s narration to paint a stunningly raw and emotional portrait of the gritty bohemian world of New York City in the late 1980s, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
It was the winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
How the young bohemians hope, struggle and triumph provides the narrative thread to this ground-breaking musical, reminding us all to measure our lives in love.
Featuring iconic musical theatre hits such as ‘Seasons of Love’, ‘Take Me or Leave Me’ and ‘La Vie Bohème’, it is packed full with unforgettable songs that have inspired generations and continue to resonate with audiences today.
The main theme running throughout the production is the shadow of HIV/AIDS hovering over the casts’ heads with the physical and emotional complications of the disease pervading their lives.
The performance is exuberant, passionate and joyous, and continues until Saturday.
Rent is at New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich until 5 July 2025.