Evening Express

Triple Threat is not a theatre group that shies away from a challenge. Fresh from success with The Full Monty a few months ago, the young group is back with an even bigger hurdle to cross - the North-East amateur premiere of the musical Rent. The rock version of Puccini's Opera La Boheme was written by Jonathan Larson, who died just before the show opened for its its premiere performance in 1996, when it was awarded the Tony award for best musical and Pulitzer prize for drama.

Triple Threat's production staged by director Ruthie Whyte and musical director Bryan McCaffrey. boasts a carefully chosen line-up of performers, who bring to large and colourful life the characters of the East village of New York. The show's impressive score highlights a generation of struggling artists, addicts, and impoverished young people living in the shaddow of AIDS and drug addiction. There's Roger (played by James Morrison), and aspiring musician who fall in love with the beautiful Mimi, played to perfection by Eilidh O'Carroll who makes every song her own in a truly captivating performance. Chris Duncan and Kevin Thorburn also provide a strong focus as Tom Collins and transvestite lover Angel. They portray their relationship with care and understanding, especially towards the end when Angel's death from AIDS is handled with impressive maturity. Packed with musical gems, the show hits the spot with superb rendidtions of Seasons Of Love, La Vie Boheme and Without You. Rent is a real treasure - enjoy it at the Arts Centre until Saturday.

Press And Journal

The broadway production of the musical Rent closed last September after a 12 year run and 5,124 performances. Its broadly based on Puccini's opera La Boheme and tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive in New York's Lower East Side, under the shaddow of AIDS.

Single-handedly this musical brought an air of tociality and gravity to traditional musical thetre. Rent is also a demanding non-stop rock musical with twice the number if songs in a normal show. Consequently it's not a great favourite among amateur groups.

Triple Threat Theatre however, seem to be tailor-made for this show Their opening performance at Aberdeen Arts Centre last night, directed by Ruthie Whyte with musical direction from Bryan McCaffrey, had something you can't learn or buy and you certainly can't rent - it had genuine passion.

True, the big rock and raunchy voices need better balancing with the band and with one another and last night was certainly rough and raw at times, but it was real and that's an other element you can't concoct.

Under the scrutiny of Ben Drane's Mark this human chemistry stems from the pairing of James Morrison as Roger and Eilidh O'Carroll as Mimi. From this brillian young couple the whole show catches light. Big characters like Kevin Thorburn's magnificent Angel and Stacey Stewart's wild Maureen make an indelible impression.

Extremely moving, Rent should not be missed!

Congraulations To All That Auditioned. Below Is The Cast List In Order Of Appearance:

Mark - Ben Drane
Roger - James Morrison
Mrs Cohen - Kirsty Moir
Collins - Chris Duncan
Benny - Scott MacDonald
Joanne - Pauline Mathers
Homeless Man - Edward Aldred-Dow
Angel - Kevin Thorburn
Mimi - Eilidh O’Carrol
Maureen - Stacey Stewart
Mr Jefferson - Daniel Hall
Mrs Jefferson - Amanda Brown
Paul - Edward Aldred-Dow
Gordon - Daniel Hall
Ally - Lauren Strachan
Pam - Sarah Low
Sue - Jacqui Wilton
Steve - Daniel Hall
Squeegie Man - Craig Kelly
Blanket Woman - Jo Galloway
No-One’s Buying - Edward Aldred-Dow
Jacket Vendor - Kirsty Moir
The Man (Drug Dealer) - David Hepburn
Leap Of Faith Back-Ups - Fi Souter, Rachel Crone & Heather Whyte
Restaurant Man - Calum Runcie
Rodney - Daniel Silver
La Vie Boheme - Rachel Crone
Pastor - David Hepburn
Roger’s Mother - Jade Weir
Mimi’s Mother - Jacqueline Fulton
Alexi Darling - Rachel Crone

The Full Monty
12-15 November 2008
Producer/Musical Director: Bryan McCaffrey
Choreographer: Gillian Hunter

This young company tackled this show’s theme of unemployment and the consequences it has on personal relationships with the right mix of enthusiasm and sensitivity. It is testament to their abilities as actors that they were able to convincingly play characters whose playing ages were, in the main, 20 years older than their actual ages. The 6 guys who made up “Hot Metal” gave strong individual performances but also bonded well in the ensemble pieces. Special mention must be made of Craig Soutar(Jerry) who was hardly off stage and Daniel Hall(Dave) whose mature singing voice belied his tender years. Rachel Crone(Georgie), Laura Merchant(Vicki) and Suzanne Matthew(Pam) gave strong performances as the independent but supportive wives. Ruthie Whyte(Jeannette) as the hard bitten but soft centred showbiz pro accompanist stole every scene she was in with her witty one-liners and put downs. An enthusiastic chorus, excellent choreography and well controlled orchestra added greatly to a most enjoyable evening.