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A fun insight into the lives of ushers, the unsung heroes of theatre. Expect stagey references, big dance numbers and a lot of flashlights. Summary
Rating
Good
When you walk into The Other Palace Studio to find your seat, you notice quite a few ushers pottering about. Some are “real”, working at The Other Palace, but others are “fake” – members of the cast.
As the title suggests, USHERS: The Front of House Musical revolves around ushers working at a flagship theatre. They are part of ‘Theatre Nation’ a company run by Robin (Daniel Paige), a slightly creepy yet amusing manager. Employees include Ben (Luke Bayer), his partner Gary (Cleve September), and ‘stagey ninja’, Rosie (Bethany Amber Perrins), who enjoys shining her flashlight on unexpected audience members. Lastly there’s Stephen (Christopher Foley) and newbie, Lucy (Danielle Rose), and it’s evidence that the pair are quickly developing feelings for each other.
The plot is relatively straightforward: Lucy joins the team of ushers at Theatre Nation. It’s her first shift and she’s unsure about what she’s meant to be doing – predictably, chaos ensues. The fun number ‘Induction’ affectionately mocks the regular theatregoers; from the tourists to the husbands who have been dragged along against their will, to the ‘stageys’ who think they know everything about theatre. I had to laugh when they sang a line about “the critics with their notepads and pens”, whilst I indeed had a notepad and pen balanced on my knee.
Ben and Gary are having relationship troubles as the latter has been cast in a show that will go on tour for a year. Their song ‘Loving You Is All I Know’, is an endearing duet. Both Bayer and September are talented singers and their voices complement each other well. Yet, because Ben and Gary spend most of the show ignoring each other, when they reconcile it falls flat.
During scene changes, ridiculous corporate induction videos play on a screen where Robin explains things such as how to lift a cardboard box and fold it. It’s a great way to keep the audience engaged whilst the cast moves the set into place. However, sometimes as the lights came back up, they hadn’t quite made it back to their makes in time. This could be slicker, but I’m sure throughout the run will improve with repetition.
Lightbulbs frame the stage emitting classic Hollywood mirrors, and throughout the numbers performed, they flash different colours. Red when Robin comes up with a devious scheme, and blue when Stephen dreams about all the parts he could play.
The show is at its best when the choreography enables the cast to move around on stage as well as amongst the audience. During ‘Welcome!’ I was twisting around to see them dancing in the aisles and interacting with people. However, during the solo songs, the actors sing standing in one place, which feels slightly stilted.
There are plenty of funny moments throughout; the head of Theatre Nation is called Andrew Lloyd Mackintosser and several witty remarks about plastic cups in auditoriums included. Additionally, Rosie’s Roxie Hart-esque number ‘Leading Men’ is hilarious. Tearing off her usher uniform, she has on a shimmery black dress underneath, reminiscent of what Renée Zellweger wears in Chicago. Rosie sings about all the leading men she admires (basically stalks). Yet other moments in the show are overly exaggerated. Certain interactions, while amusing initially, lose their humour with repetition.
There are numerous theatre references dotted throughout the show, such as, “sell for me, my angel of kiosk!” and Rosie having 24,601 followers on her TikTok account. However, you can still enjoy USHERS even if you don’t get them all. The cast works brilliantly together and delivers a promising performance. I left the theatre with a smile on my face, but I couldn’t help but wonder what the actual ushers thought of it.
Music by: Yiannis Koutsakos
Lyrics by: James Oban and Yiannis Koutsakos
Book and Additional Lyrics by: James Rottger
Directed by: Max Reynolds
Choreographed by: Adam Haigh
Lighting designed by: Jack Weir
Set and Costumes designed by: Reuben Speed
Produced by: James Steel Productions
Co-produced by: Maryann Wright Productions
USHERS: The Front of House Musical plays at The Other Palace Studio until 19 May.
Further information and booking can be found here.
