Review of ‘I Ran With The Gang’: “It’s good for the fangirls”

Alan Longmuir’s story lives on under the spotlight through this stage biopic making its debut in the London scene. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the piece, to let us know if this quasi sing-a-lang show manages to be a summerlove sensation.

“Anyone knows which song I’m talking about?”. Well, at least they tried to keep the audience engaged. And to some extent, they did. If you happen to be a hardcore Bay City Roller groupie (we were blessed with a few ones standing in the first line of defense last night), chances are that you’ll start titillating at the very nanosecond your favourite tune is hinted – and believe me, they did. It’s a nice touch, despite its debatable placing in what, apparently, is intended to be a serious biographical play. But regardless of its questionable dramatic craftsmanship, there’s still a mystery the piece fails to solve through the whole course of the performance: what is it attempting to do?

Besides its obvious homage intentions, one can’t truly decide (nor can the script) either the aim, style or structure the work is going for. Is it a play with songs? Is it a plain narrative? Or is it actually a tribute act with some recounting elements scattered around? Sadly, nobody can tell, as the account shifts so many times (and with such little justification) is practically impossible to understand any motives built upon its arc.

Despite a blatant air of admiration and, to some level, care not only for the real-life characters, but also the portrayal they’re trying to convey, the play generally struggles to bring much else than a bunch of fun facts and anecdotes. In the end, the general vibe is that, pass beyond the fans, none of these elements are unable to entice (let alone, compel) the viewer – resulting in a rather bland jaunt that, all in all, feels quite shallow and underdeveloped.

There’s no introspection other than a few inklings of the lead’s inner journey (and that’s if you look out hard for them) – wistfully, ignoring every opportunity to present us with something that surpasses the public persona and dives deeper into his true self. We already know the legend. Now it’s time (or, at least, it should have been), to know the man. Regrettably, that is a notion that, in spite of the homelike undertone of its delivery, seems to be severely overlooked, as we never get to step any way further than a linear recap of his career – with his more personal, vulnerable side (something essential to make a bond with its audience) never to materialise.

Staged as a three-hander, the cast manages to give some moderately appealing renditions from an acting perspective – playing their parts with sufficient presence and noticeable commitment. However, their vocals are not the strongest feature of their interpretation – and though they exude tremendous determination and mildly infectious stamina in every number, those efforts, most sorrowfully, aren’t anyhow able to make up for what, eventually, looks like a rather unpolished musical rendition.

Parting from a charming, heartfelt idea, I Ran With The Gang boots the nostalgic factor to the very top through fan-fic-based approach, but it’s incapable of fashioning anything else by missing (and possibly, still not knowing) the core and final destination of its path. A motif of exploration should be the initial and final step for any piece to set up its voyage – especially, when it deals with somebody’s life. Once those factors are in position, that’s the moment when it may be put in motion and begin to wander – and ultimately, soar.

I Ran With The Gang plays at London’s Stage Door Theatre until 17 August. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara