A new musical with excellent vocalists but which attempts to tackle too many issues.Summary
Rating
Ok
The ladies’ loos are a lively haven; an infamous space for gossip, drama and camaraderie. I guarantee every woman can recall a memorable moment that happened in one, making it a great and unique setting for a musical.
Stalled follows the lives of seven women with the central plot focusing on toilet attendant, Maggie (Lauren Ward), as she navigates grief and loneliness. The musical examines a myriad of themes, including absent and overbearing mothers, addiction, grief, teenage pregnancy, hidden sexuality and neurodiversity amongst other things. There are too many topics to explore fully, resulting in a thin narrative and underdeveloped characters.
It was a joy to hear brilliant solos from Evita Khrime as troubled teen poet Selena, and Regina Co as Krystal, a woman concealing her sexuality from her mother. The characters divulge their problems in soulful songs, yet as an audience we don’t really connect with them because they are too one-dimensional to form any emotional attachment. However, both Khrime and Co are extremely talented vocalists and it’s a delight to hear them belt out their numbers.
Moreover, the reveal of why Maggie is living in a toilet (yes, really) is anticlimactic and the audience don’t feel the emotional impact due to its poor delivery, marked by clunky lines and forced lyrics. This lack of engagement limits the show and exemplifies how crucial moments are often lost due to weak execution. A sharper focus on Maggie and her daughter Robin (played by Rebecca-Jo Roberts, who gives an impressive professional debut) would easily resolve this.
One moment that struck me as particularly odd was the throwaway comment from Cynthia (Josie Benson) about her daughter being autistic. The song ‘Different Not Broken’ then ensues. This was presumably meant to be a touching moment, but it came off as patronising and awkward, which is a shame as Benson is such a talented singer.
The exceptional set, designed by Emily Bestow, includes cubicles, sink basins, a seating area (doubling up as a bed for Maggie) and tiled floors – the audience is transported to a “bougie ass Seattle ladies’ room” as soon as we step foot in the new King’s Head Theatre. Yet, due to the sinks setup in the middle of the stage, it quickly becomes very crowded when all the cast are on at once.
The lighting design by Ciaran Cunningham, is fun and playful, with flashes of neon that outline the cubicle doors during the more upbeat numbers. Lighting is also used to convey the passing of time effectively with a sunrise effect featuring warm yellow and orange lighting.
There are plenty of comedic moments in the show, including the energetic number ‘1-800 Help Me’, where characters come on stage donned in pink sequined jackets and use toilet brushes as microphones. More of these lighter, uplifting moments would help balance the heavy subject matter.
In the finale, the characters say goodbye to Maggie, a woman who’s worked in the loos for only two and a half months. She is caring and during her employment she makes an effort to get to know each of her regulars, but the grand farewell did seem a bit farfetched. However, it was great to hear the catchy, titular song again though as she departs.
Each of the women we are introduced to throughout this ninety-minute musical faces her own struggles; they are all stalled in their lives. This consistency is clear and unifies the show. With so many issues discussed, I’m sure the audience can relate to at least one of them, but for a more punchy and meaningful impact, the topics discussed need to be streamlined and simplified. This new musical has tons of potential, it just needs a bit more time to flush out its ideas.
Directed by: Vikki Stone
Book Writer & Co-Lyrics by: Liesl Wilke
Composer & Lyrics by: Andy Marsh
Additional Music & Lyrics by: Kyle Puccia
Set & Costume Design by: Emily Bestow
Lighting Design by: Ciaran Cunningham
Stall: A New Musical plays at King’s Head Theatre until 23 March.
