Theatre Review: After The Turn (The Courtyard, London)

**.5

After The Turn’s story sounds like something out of a soap opera, but has a visceral quality to it that combines odd details to produce a real-life feeling show.

Powerfully emotive, the professional vocals are set against indie music that beautifully reflects the story of Michael’s silence (movingly played by Liam Doyle). The stage was stolen, however, by Teen Michael (Stephen Rolley) and his mother, Amanda (Ashleigh Gray), who’s combined vocal talents, stage presence and acting skill draws the eye consistently. While Liam’s portrayal of mute-Michael was perfect, his scene partner Tori Allen-Martin, who plays his ex-girlfriend Lauren, came across as incredibly nervous at first as she seemed to struggle to find an appropriate pitch and volume, but warmed up in the second act, her vocals really became particularly impresive.

While the jury is out on who is to blame for his character’s nought-to-psycho nature, Greg Oliver clearly drew inspiration from Heath Ledger’s Joker in his playing of Wolf’s schizophrenic anger in Act 2, with Steven Webb’s overacting just disappointing us. 

Whilst the sound technician seemed to struggle to pick up Tori’s vocals, the lyricist should be shot for crimes against music (repeating ‘I am your mother’ does not count as a chorus), some lyrics were particularly powerful and touching, yet others came across as superficial and poor. Musical Director Tom Curran did a fantastic job leading the on-stage band through it’s paces. Sarah Henley’s choices of staging were impressive, incorporating all three sets in one, including the band, and Teen Michael’s colour t-shirts and posters against Michael’s monochromatic versions all being inspired ideas.

Definitely a work-in-progress, this felt like a mediocre stab at a potentially enthralling plot, and the cast are generally not at fault. With staging and use of space dead on, a couple of notes needed with deference to the first fight scene, which was just plain awful, and a few lyrical reworks, this show once polished will be a gleaming example of British off-West End musical theatre. Until some further workshopping takes place this show is  recommended on the basis of the talent on display – vocal, dramatic and physical.

After the Turn plays at the Courtyard theatre, London, N1 6EU and is running until 25 February 2012. Tickets are £12/£15. To book call 0844 477 1000 or go to visit the shows website.