REVIEW: Songs of Innocence, Unity Theatre
WHAT begins as a quaint period tale of country life isn't all it first appears to be in Songs of Innocence, part of the 2019 Future Proof festival of original work from LIPA's final year acting students.Written by Louis Gale for Stormy TeaCup Productions, it introduces the parallel worlds of poverty-stricken young brothers Jorgi and Arthur Hardy (Joe Lindley and Jonny Wise) and their widowed mother (Beth Elliot), who live and work in the estate of aristocratic teenage siblings Cecile and Barty (Grace Long and Louis Gale), who are each having their own struggles under the weight of societal expectation.Linking the two are egregious estate manager Albert Coste (Gale again) and his wayward, but charming daughter Lili (Saskia Pay), who catches the eye of all the boys.When kind, simple Jorgi is forced to leave school to work in the grounds, he bonds with the initially disparaging Barty over a love of the poetry of William Blake.The gentle humour, blossoming romance and drama - touching on themes of class conflict and gender inequality - is interspersed with folk songs performed by the cast; before a devastating and effective twist in the final scene ends things on an altogether more sombre note.The ensemble of six are on stage throughout, playing instruments as well as singing and performing. The original music is a real highlight, used to an effect that is reminiscent of War Horse - with an ending with hints of Cabaret.I understand the play was chopped down from full length to 45 minutes for this showcase, and that did show in parts; an indecent proposal plot that threatens the Hardy family adds drama but fades away, and there is definitely scope for having more space to expand the world of these likeable characters (and spending more time giving the running Blake theme, that gives the play its title, a chance to breathe).The ensemble works well together and really shines in the musical numbers, and the village dance scene all the action leads to is a joy to watch. It all builds up to a thought-provoking, dramatic epilogue that adds real gravitas.Photo credit: Brian Roberts
