With Christmas just around the corner, Distortion Forever productions put on a lively, clever, good natured satire to put theatregoers in the mood.
Family time at Christmas is often a tense, fraught experience and this is what the show draws on. The title says it all – Sometimes one just wishes to be somewhere else, preferably far away!
An enthusiastic cast, of mixed abilities, bring this Christmas musical by Ludwig Van Distortion and Coco Grainger, with song lyrics by Andrew Neville Harget to the stage. The piece is actually better classified as an opera, – there is no spoken word dialogue, everything is sung. The music came through the theatre’s speakers and did not benefit from being performed by a live band.
As a work put together for the festive season, SOMEWHERE ELSE TODAY worked well.
My favourite moments from the show – the exchanging presents scene with the typical banal presents and the endless thank yous (the scene reminded me of a long ago neighbour who used to give a packet of Imperial Leather soaps every Christmas without fail), the song ‘Our Home Is Bohemia’ with a young couple responding to family pressures to get married with the response – our home is Bohemia – we don’t need marriage, and the ‘What Breeders Do’ song sung whilst the children create chaos at the family gathering.
Coco Grainger’s direction saw the work flow well, her set of the living room of a suburban home with the much used sofa being a centrepiece satisfied, and her costumes were fetching- particularly the costume for George – the family’s much loved dog, well played by Myles Burgin, who showcased one of the strongest voices in the ensemble.
The show ended with an impressive, upbeat finale – Merry Christmas Now – a song beckoning everyone to celebrate Christmas, no matter how difficult their personal circumstances are.
My sentiments too on this Christmas Eve! I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2017!
SOMEWHERE ELSE TODAY played the New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown between the 18th and the 21st of December 2016.