The Prime Minister gets back in charge (in fiction, only!) in this musical parody exploring the rise and fall of one the UK’s most controversial political figures. Guillermo Nazara shares his vision on this rock opera soon-to-be touring across the country, to let us know if this show is fit for office.
“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” I wish you a good day and see you in my next review… Nahhhh, just some good-hearted humour to start the post… you don’t buy it, do you? Well, let’s just say I like opening my texts with a quote from the work I’m critiquing… Oh, f*ck – wrong Bambi! I mean, they’re both surrounded by unfair deaths but… Relax, Tony (that’s the mate that always reads what I write), it’s just a joke. And let’s be honest, if you’re not in the mood for that, this piece is clearly the wrong choice for you.
“Hi, I’m Tony Blair”. Nothing else needed for the audience to burst into laughter as the big-headed (in every sense of the word) baby MP is given birth to. The show is as ridiculous as the story itself. And it’s precisely that mad absurdity that makes it genius. A brilliant political parody endowed (or plagued with) dark, sophomoric punchlines, Tony! is a highly smart satirical treat presented in catchy rock-and-roll wrapping paper.
Featuring infectious melodies and fun, cunning lyrics, both musical numbers and book work flawlessly, contrary to Blair’s career (ouch!), to tell the rise and fall of British Government’s enfant terrible. With its pacing almost as exhilarating as its uptempo score, the writing (credit to Harry Hill and Steve Brown) is almost impeccable, resulting in a extremely cohesive piece where every moment of the narrative is carefully selected and explored – the only defect coming from some of the songs feeling a bit too short or lacking a couple of bars for a better ending effect.
But we should never concern about small things – well, sometimes we should, but it’s not this kind of show… They did eat long, juicy carrots in one of the acts, though… Anyway, the fact is that is that there is a stronger chance that you’ll leave the theatre in genuine tears of laughter than finding if Blair’s ugly rumours are as bad as it’s been told – the band, I mean… Prepare yourself for two hours of authentic spiteful delight as you see all of your favourite characters (Hussein, Bin Laden and Lady Di) give a performance to die for – no pun intended.
But it’s not just the authors that deserve the praising – or grudges, because I guarantee some tunes will get stuck into your head for a few hours minimum. The cast’s comedic talent (filled with extreme stamina and charismatic dedication) is no doubt the other great contributor to the production’s triumphant outcome. All of them offering hilarious, brilliant renditions of the plot’s heroes (you know where I’m coming from…), the highest compliments are fairly earned by Martin Johnston as both labour party Neil Kinnock and (in)famous US President George W. Bush, as well as Howard Samuels in the part of political mastermind (he was depicted as such…) Peter Mandelson.
Yet, those are not the only ones. Noooooo… There’s of course Emma Jay Thomas in her amusingly farcical (nevertheless, still quite accurate) portrayal of Lady Diana. And then, there’s Jack Whittle in the title role. And that’s truly a separate subject to discuss. Because it’s not how incredibly funny and captivating his performance is. It’s not what a shockingly powerful, magnetic stage presence he has. It’s not how naturally droll he proves to be. It’s all of that. But especially, how unnervingly close he gets to the real thing. He looks like Tony Blair (mannerisms wise). He speaks like Tony Blair. He IS Tony Blair!… It’s a compliment, by the way – I know the phrase is confusing so don’t be offended.
Nothing else to say, or maybe everything to say, about such a theatrical jewel whose great values stem from both its intelligence and entertaining quality. Tony! has proven, as usually all good works do, that as long as you have that spark of brilliance illuminating your path, there’s nothing else you need to create something viewers will engage with. This one has had a blast in that regard – and has produced the same reaction on its public. The world is run by a**holes, they claimed – but thank goodness for that, otherwise we’d never had the chance to pound them out (narratively, I mean).
All pictures credit to Mark Senior.
Tony! – The Tony Blair Rock Opera plays at London’s Leicester Square Theatre until 21 May before going on tour. Tickets are available on the following link.