Back in the 1980s most of the juggernaut hit musicals began life as concept albums. Theatre fans first got to hear soundtracks like EVITA and CHESS through listening to an LP (Long Playing Record) so that when the eventual show was launched they already knew and loved the score and booked enthusiastically.
The practice rather fell out of fashion but with so many performers in lockdown with time on their hands perhaps it’s no surprise that musical writers are trying out their work through releasing recordings again.
A notable addition to the roster this week is new musical THE RHYTHMICS.
It’s not, as you might imagine from the title, a Juke box show featuring hits from 1980’s band The Eurythmics. Instead it’s described as “a brand-new life affirming musical” with book and lyrics by Poppy Burton-Morgan, and music & lyrics from Stiles & Drewe award winner Ben Glasstone (Reanimator)
THE RHYTHMICS we’re told “explores the crisis of masculinity via a collection of oddballs belting their way through a thrillingly catchy guitar led score.”
And concerns “Hapless single-dad Grey who is in a rut. Teenage daughter Silva packs him off to revive his rockstar dreams, successfully auditioning for ‘Nick & the Rhythmics' only to realise... he’s actually signed up for an All-male Rhythmic Gymnastics troupe. Against the odds these burly blokes make it as far as the World Championships - twirling their ‘ribbons of fire’ - and along the way Grey finally learns to commit to life”.
The project has been made possible thanks to emergency support from Arts Council England, a hugely successful Crowdfunder campaign, which exceeded its original target, alongside producers Metta Theatres reserve funds. The producers were able to record the album (under socially distanced rules in studios across London, Brighton and Glasgow) during the month of July.
I must say yet another show about a collection of oddball archetypes bonding as they work together for a common purpose – think THE FULL MONTY, CALENDAR GIRLS, STEPPING OUT, 9 to 5, even Rodgers and Hart’s BABES IN ARMS – doesn’t exactly fill me with excitement.
The promo-video for the song GOT YOUR BACK reveals it to be about everyday folk singing of common-place problems one by one, with a chorus in between each, reminding them they’re not alone.
My personal taste is for shows about extraordinary people in extraordinary times, singing about big choices so it didn’t do much for me, I can watch a slice of life, for free, on the bus - but maybe listening to the full score I’ll discover it isn’t all as hum-drum and formulaic as the press release suggests.
The production company describe themselves as “known for combining emotionally powerful performances with imaginative theatricality and striking visual style” so that sounds hopeful.
Artists involved in the cast recording include Neil McDermott (EastEnders, Pretty Woman) as ‘Grey’, Eleanor Kane (Fun Home, Billionaire Boy) as ‘Silva’, Christopher Staines (The Great Gatsby, Abigail’s Party) as ‘Nick’, Daniel York Loh (The Shadow Factory, Pahl-La) as ‘Dennis’, Samuel Thomas (Man of La Mancha, The Last Five Years) as ‘Connor’, and Kinny Gardner (Lindsay Kemp Company / Krazy Kat Theatre Company) as ‘Sid’. The Musical Director was Jamie Ross and it was mixed and mastered by Simon Small for Voicebox Productions. Artists specifically involved in the music video are Neil McDermott as ‘Grey’, Loren O’Dair as ‘Sue’, Craig Turner as ‘Nick’, Carl Sanderson as ‘Dennis’, Lemuel Knights as ‘Connor’, Adam Jay-Price as ‘Jeremy’ and Kinny Gardner as ‘Sid’.
You can find all the footage c/o www.therhythmics.co.uk
With the announcement that Samantha Barks will play Elsa and Stephanie McKeon will plays Anna in the upcoming London production of 