The Queens of Cups - Seven Dials Playhouse
Stephen Sondheim would love this show. Clever song writing, intense stage presence and comedy that makes your stomach hurt from laughing so much.
Less is indeed more; this show is short and very sweet. This was a treat and not a trick of a show. Summoning Sondheim is a piece of theatre I've had on my watch list for a while, and it was a jaw droppingly good piece that was so enjoyable that I was sad when it finished. I wanted more. Jordana Belaiche and Grace O'Keefe give a unique and entrancing performance, brilliant producing and directing by Bel Parker. You leave the theatre appreciating and maybe even learning something new about Sondheim. It is a joy that they have honored his memory and keep him alive through their piece.
Sondheim is risen from the grave and lives through this show. The song writing is insane and the 3 creators have clearly put a lot of research into the musical king Stephen Sondheim to bring him to life through their songs and it is extremely admirable. Grace O'Keefe displays a whimsical character, who speaks and moves with purpose. Her bubbly and positive personality shines through her character. Jordana's character has many layers, she brings a huge amount of comedy to the piece and she is absolutely fabulous. The other character she plays; the medium Chanel is the most hilarious and fantastic character. I looked forward to her moments on stage as this character! Her voice is so different and she gives an insane amount of electric energy through her performance. It was a joy to watch them both thrive in these roles.
The staging gives the impression of seance, candles surround the room, a shrine dedicated to Sondheim and his rules to making a good musical are hung from the wall with ribbon. When you walk in Grace is sat centre stage with candles around her and she is deep in thought planning the seance. The world she has created around her shows how enamored with Sondheim she is, on the shrine engraved is 'GO hearts SS' and this sets the tone for the show right from the beginning. One of the most interesting uses of production elements is a bell on the shrine, some how it rings by itself and this gives the piece a spooky, ghostly vibe and its not clear how they have done this, which makes it believable that they have successfully summoned a ghost!
Overall, marvelous show and you will be spooked! There is so much to analyse and celebrate about this show, but I won't spoil it for you. The songs are fantastic, this show deserves a huge amount of credit, because of the clear amount of hard work and research that has gone into bringing Sondheim to life! They display an array of aspects of him, such as mimicking him through movements and facial expressions, it is brilliant! This is one show you must, must, MUST watch! This is a musical lover, of course those who love Sondheim (if you're a musical lover you must love something Sondheim). Share with your musical friends and get together for this seance. Maybe one day they will summon him.
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