August 25, 2025
For a certain reason, it is a neglected classic

For a certain reason, it is a neglected classic

Although it is made charming and stylish here, Brigadoon is what is known in the theater world as the rightly neglected classic. As Mimsy, Shortbread-Tin fantasy of the magical Scottish romance from 1947 it was Alan Jay learner and Frederick Loewes fourth collaboration with a few outstanding songs and a ridiculous act.

The director and choreographer Drew McOnie’s revival – the first in London since 1988, and the final of his first season, in which the Open -Air theater takes place – works almost thanks to some good performances, spirited choreography and a strikingly effective great design of Basia Bińkowska. But it is an effort to make the way through the more factual moments.

The award -winning playwright Rona Munro has optimized Loewes Summes script. Since the violent Jacobit rose from 1745, a deal (by a priest with God in the original, by an oldest with “spirits”) was hit to ensure that the checkered car from Brigadoon disappeared into the Scottish fog and was able to prepare for 24 hours every 100 hours. While a century passes in the long world, a single day has passed in Brigadoon.

Nobody will harm the village because it will never be long enough nearby to be noticed that thinking is possible. As a by-product (how?) It becomes a place of peace, well-being and fertility, full of rock-shipping Wenches monastery and strapping kilometer boys. Oh, and the spell will collapse when someone goes (why?). But a stranger can stay if he falls in love (what?!?). Surprise, surprise, in 1945, two Americans stumble into this sexually charged idyll on the day of his resumption.

In the original, Jeff and Tommy are playful tourists, but Munro transforms them into drained aviators of the Second World War. Brigadoon heals her war -tired heart of the heart and the physical injuries of Louis Gaunts Tommy. This adds Tommy’s decision to fall in love with FieTy Fiona Maclaren, a certain risk of danger (Danielle Fianya, who shares the role with Georgina Onuorah). It also ensures a decent end.

    (Mark Senior)

(Mark Senior)

Mconie begins strongly and calls the fantasy world with bagpipers and drummer who wore through this lush and leafy auditorium. The costumes are deconstructed versions of Highland Garb, which reflect the pastel colors of Heather, Gorse and CowsSlip on the wooden slopes of the set. The large dance routines are a graceful vertebrae of balletical movement.

But the strongest songs are the comic numbers The love of my life and my mother’s wedding anniversary, which is sung by Nic Myers’ Pantly Up-For-It Meg, who inexplicably has the hots for Cavan Clarkes Testery Jeff. I can’t be the first one who notices that the romantic act is a narrower act, it is almost as if you are in love, as if people are saying that we are in love with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

The characters are thin and the lines are thoroughly. The nimble chemistry for the wedding anniversary between Gilli Jones’ charismatic, sweet voice and Jasmine Jules Andrews as Fionas earthly leek sister Jean is far more effective than that between Fiona and Tommy. The dances of jealousy and grief by Danny Nattrass’ Harry (Jean loves) and Chrissy Brookes Maggie (who loves Harry) far more expressor and included as the central narrative dilemma.

And even if you completely separate your brain, the Niggling questions exist. How did Brigadoons village residents understand and accept the open bizarre conditions of their pact with the supernatural in just 48 hours and two quantum leap through time? How does trade work with the outside world? Will Brigadoon 2144 reappear in the middle of a Trump Golf Course, a nuclear wastland or under water?

The production of Mconie is a pleasant distraction, which is well in this treeal place, which delivered an authentic Scottish drizzle in the press evening. But the plot, the characters and the scoring of Brigadoon melt like Scotch Mist. In order to co -opt Gertrude Stein’s line over her hometown Oakland, the problem with Brigadoon is that “there is no there”.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theater by September 20; Openartheatre.com

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