Theatre Review: RENT at Cobham Theatre, Bromsgrove
AD: This review refers to the 2024 Production of RENT, a Dynamik Theatre Group production at Cobham Theatre, Bromsgrove*
In a change from the glitz and glamour of Birmingham’s big theatres, Mr Fletche and I headed south to Bromsgrove. More specifically, to the Cobham Theatre, for Dynamik Theatre’s 2024 production of RENT.
How we gonna pay last year’s rent?
In 1996, Jonathan Larson could not have known how his rock musical Rent, set in 1989 New York, would have parallels with the current state of the world. Death and grief. Poverty and unemployment. Frustration at the government. The arts sector brought to its knees. But amongst all that, a fighting spirit and the power of love, hope and friendship. And Dynamik Theatre’s cast and crew have brought a slick production to the stage.
RENT is the story of a group of struggling young artists fighting to leave a legacy in a hostile world. They are living in the shadow of the HIV and AIDS crisis and on the edge of society. Mark Cohen (Aaron Gibson), an aspiring documentary-maker filming a fly-on-the-wall account of living in an unheated warehouse in the East Village. Haunted songwriter Roger (Jack Higgins), grieving his girlfriend’s suicide and living under the death sentence of HIV. His love interest, the quirky but tragic Mimi (Yasmeen Shaaban), struggling with addiction. Philosophy professor Collins (Ed Blann) and his beautiful ethereal partner Angel (Jaii Andrew). The delightfully bonkers Maureen (Steph Westwood) and her on-off girlfriend, the smart and headstrong Joanne (Ellie Creedon).
The storyline can be a little hard to follow at times, with sentences left unfinished and an assumption that the audience are in on all the secrets. Yet this is no fault of the Dynamik cast – after all, they follow Larson’s script faithfully. I was just as confused the first time I saw it, and it took a bit of Googling to fill in the blanks.
How do you measure a year?
It’s difficult to single out a star performer, such is the talent of this cast. The production allows each lead character their moment in the spotlight. ‘Seasons of Love’ is probably the most well-known of the songs from Rent, a rousing full ensemble number that concludes that a year should be measured in friendship and love. But for me it’s the duets that stand out: ‘Tango: Maureen”, ‘Take Me or Leave Me’ and ‘I’ll Cover You’. And the end of first act ensemble number ‘La Vie Boheme’, which is a breathless assault on the senses.
The set is stripped-back and bleak, all exposed brick, graffiti and scaffolding, conveying the hopeless situation of our characters. The 5-piece band are present on-stage and are performing for almost the entire 2 hour show. At the start of the second act some of the performers vocals were inaudible over the band, but this was soon corrected. It didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the production, and I look forward to seeing more of what this talented company deliver in future.
RENT The Musical is only on at the Cobham Theatre until Saturday 24th February. But you can follow Dynamix Theatre online to find out more about their upcoming productions. Find them at their website, on Facebook, on Instagram or on X.
Why is this post marked as an AD? I received complimentary tickets to this event in exchange for an honest review. You can trust that I will always be honest and truthful on A Brummie Home and Abroad, and being an invited guest will not influence my opinion in any way.
