Streaming online 12 – 14 March – Book via https://treasonthemusical.com/
4****
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
This slick concert version of Treason is a tantalising taste of what is to come in a full musical production in 2021/22.
While Guy Fawkes is the most familiar name in English folklore around the gunpowder plot, Treason concentrates on four other members of the conspiracy, Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, Tom Winter and John Wright, only introducing Fawkes as a non-speaking character as they draw in more men to carry out the plot. The oppression of Catholics under Elizabeth I meant that there were great hopes of a fairer future under James, who promised much but continued persecuting Catholics when he took the throne, leading the men into a desperate act of rebellion. Treason explores the pressures and tensions between love of God, love between husband and wife, and love of charismatic leaders with great passion.
Any new musical about historical rebellion will draw comparisons with Hamilton and Les Mis, but Treason’s creators have their own confident vision. Daniel Boys is a hoot as King James, and although the first few bars of his number make you think of Hamilton’s George, James is a very different petulant king, although both roles serve as light relief amongst the serious politics. The mournful folk airs that are mostly sung by the female characters are hauntingly beautiful, and sung exquisitely by Rebecca LaChance, Sharon Rose and Lucie Jones. Blind faith, sung by Lucie Jones and Bradley Jaden as Martha and Thomas Percy is a heart-breaking duet. The plotters songs are rousing with fabulous driving beats and soaring harmonies from Cedric Neal, Waylon Jacobs, Emmanuel Kojo, Oliver Tompsett and Bradley Jaden, with Oliver Tompsett on fire as Catesby, especially singing The Cold Hard Ground, which reveals the grief and anger behind his actions. The rousing finale will definitely bring an entire auditorium to their feet.
The concert is only 50 minutes, and in this production, songs are linked by a spoken verse narration from Debris Stevenson, who is phenomenal. Some of the rhymes are a little tortured in the first part of the show, but Stevenson makes Ricky Allan and Kieran Lynn’s writing fizz and sparkle as the momentum builds. An expanded version of the show would bring some necessary further characters and character expansion, especially for Martha, but it would be exciting to keep the narrator’s fire pivotal as well.
As a concert, Treason packs a powerful punch – I can’t wait to see how it develops into a full-scale musical. An exciting prospect that will surely bring the house down.