Review: Then, Now and Next

Review: Then, Now and Next

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

This is the future of British musical theatre; modern, clever, compelling, and above all, real.

Then, Now & Next, written by Christopher J Orton and Jon Robyns, offers a poignant, heartbreaking, heartwarming view of one woman’s life, and the people and events that have brought her from then to now to next. From her first experiences of love to the challenges she faces in the present, the show presents a heartfelt exploration of personal growth and resilience, of loss and trauma, and of how time can heal, even if it won’t let you forget.

Balancing humour and heartache, Then, Now & Next elicits laughter and tears from its audience, especially during the emotionally charged final scenes. Notably, the powerful song “Coming to Terms” expertly delivered by the incredibly talented Alice Fearn, serves as a perfect introduction, setting the stage for the story ahead (and behind). It’s the kind of song that bears repeated listening and every word is there for a reason – it’s powerful and it’s beautiful. But then, all the songs are worth something; there isn’t one that isn’t needed, nor one that is in the wrong place within the show. The beautifully written and modern songs in Then, Now & Next are a testament to the writers’ deep understanding of musical theatre (Robyns and Orton are both performers themselves), and they allow the performers’ vocal talents to shine, complementing the emotional narrative with simple yet instantly hummable tunes.

The cast of Then, Now & Next shine in their performances. Fearn delivers a compelling portrayal of Alex, capturing the character’s journey with authenticity and a realness that was enthralling to watch. Peter Hannah as Peter is hilarious and sweet, a kind and gentle man trying to compete with a ghost. Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Stephen is charming and fun and impulsive – and he changes Alex into a version of himself that can only ever be surface level. Tori Allen-Martin as Woman is the true comic relief (although there is humour throughout), and her portrayal of a variety of different characters was clever and expertly observed; her Tara, the party girl, is a highlight. Justin Brett as Man is just as versatile, and one of his characters in particular, who only had one line to say, tied everything together in a way that sent shivers down my spine.

The relationships portrayed on stage feel genuine and play a crucial role in conveying the story – the connections between the characters has to be pitch-perfect for the story to work and work it did.

Despite its simple premise of a woman’s journey through ageing and self-discovery, Then, Now & Next cleverly presents the story in an unconventional manner, challenging the audience to piece together the puzzle. The story is told out of order, the timelines mixing and matching to give you a feeling of Alex’s own shattered feelings – and heart. The final moments of the show deliver an emotional gut-punch, leaving a lasting impact in the most powerful way, and that’s a good thing. It’s a bittersweet ending if ever there was one, and I for one didn’t know whether to smile or cry; I think I did a bit of both.

Then, Now & Next is a gorgeous new British musical that engages the audience with its heartfelt performances, relatable characters, and skilfully crafted storytelling. It’s a musical that invites reflection, while reminding us of the beauty and resilience found in the human experience.

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Written by: Christohper J Orton and Jon Robyns
Directed by: Julie Atherton
Produced by: Paul Virides Productions

Then, Now and Nexy plays at Southwark Playhouse until 29 July. Further information and bookings can be found here.