Everything Theatre Reviews, interviews and news for theatre lovers, London and beyond
Venue 26: Summerhall -Main Hall
A quirky musical that echoes elements from the Odyssey. This bizarre show is funny and sincere, with a big future.Summary
Rating
Excellent
Todd Almond remains seated for most of his performance in I’m Almost There. Throughout his singing monologue he gazes out to the audience, playing piano, hardly looking at the keys. Joined by Erin Hill on harp and Luke McCrosson on bass, Almond guides us through a story of a man trying to get downstairs from his apartment, where his love interest waits outside for him.
In the opening song ‘You’re Never Going to Believe This’, Almond sings the line, “Have you ever read a book where the Gods are playing chess-like games with the people of the earth?” This is a perfect summary of the Odyssey and a great introduction to the exhilarating chaos that will unfold in the next hour.
Almond has written a beautiful score and I am desperate to hear an album of all the songs. The neighbour’s ballad about loneliness is heartfelt but also includes hilarious moments about her suicidal cat, adding a touch of levity. The show gets absurd very quickly but in the best way possible. Vampires, pyramid schemes and cults try to prevent the Odysseus-esque man from completing his journey. Yet throughout his miscellaneous quests, I’m Almost There somehow still remains a modern love story.
Despite being set in New York with references to local street names and areas, the musical still resonates with a UK audience. Through themes of inadequacy and relationship troubles, the show addresses universal feelings.
Although the bare set and lack of movement does not feel limiting to the storytelling, I would love to see this show fully realised with a larger cast and staging. This musical certainly has a grand odyssey of its own ahead.
Writen by: Todd Almond
Directed by: David Cromer
Produced by: Audible Theater, Francesca Moody Productions and DryWrite
Music Supervison and Co-Orchestrated by: Jonathan Mastro
I’m Almost There runs at Summerhall’s Main Hall until 26 August and then transfers to the Minetta Lane Theatre, New York. Further information and tickets can be found here.
