Review: For the Lack of Laura, Shaw Theatre

As I reflect on For The Lack of Laura, I find myself returning to the word Why repeatedly. Why, for example, did the production start with a lengthy, cinematic roll of credits at the back of the stage? Why hire an entire orchestra, including a harpist, and then squeeze them into the wings with the brass section hidden behind the scenery? And Why would you have a large, lumpen, nursery-style, papier mâché rock centre stage?

For The Lack of Laura is a new musical, presented by Morgan Brothers, showing at the Shaw Theatre: a large, smart theatre, which is part of the Pullman hotel just off Euston Road. It seats over 400 so not a cheap venue to put on a musical with a large cast and full orchestra.

The plot, as much as there is one, centres on a magic gift given to Laura (Jane Patterson) by the evil sorcerer Gwendolethe (Mo Lambardo) which allows her to leave the safety of her rural Irish village and travel through time and space to find true love. Because, in this day and age, love is all young people dream of, right? There was some clause about an immortality curse which was used as a device for Laura to think about before accepting this ‘gift’, but it was a bit opaque and never really resolved. 

Laura merrily skips back and forth through historical settings to ponder the benefits of five men: a ballet dancer, a painter, a writer, a matador and a vicar. Most of whom are self-obsessed, vain caricatures. Each time shift is heralded by a crude image of the planets aligning shown on the screen at the back of the stage, and jarring music.

In between episodes, Laura returns to her rural home to catch up with her best friend, Maggie (Emma Daly), who is resolutely single and happy. Well, nearly, as obviously you can’t possibly be happy without a man. Laura’s Irish costume darkens in hue as her interior dilemma deepens.

I almost don’t know where to start with this. The plot is vapid, with elements of fantasy that are pantomime-like, and no character development. There are also some questionable cultural references. The scenery is amateurish: an apple tree is pushed back and forth, and there is a 1970s-style tall cabinet that is used to transport Laura in and out of worlds. We were hoping for some magic trick to lighten the mood, but sadly not.  

The quality of acting and even singing is questionable. There is also a very large, mostly unnecessary chorus, who at times crawl around as woodland creatures, or, in a truly wince-inducing scene, attempt to represent professional ballet dancers. 

Patterson is the exception: light of foot, she sings beautifully and moves elegantly from one world to another, or at least as elegantly as the stage direction and choreography allow. It is clear that she is absolutely committed to this production and is doing her very best to keep it going. Daly, as best friend Maggie, sings well, but her acting seems to be limited to throwing her arms around. A lot. Nonetheless, she delivers her lines with a cheeky smile and determined sense of humour, which is enjoyable. The orchestra is sublime, the string section in particular reflective of traditional Irish music.

The theatre was at best a third full, and the most enthusiastic of the audience were clearly friends or family of the cast. What a shame: it’s a magnificent theatre with an illustrious history. It deserves better.

Creator: Kurt Rosenburg
Musical Director: Jake Morgan
Director: Luke Morgan
Choreographer: Declan J. Gardiner

For The Lack of Laura plays at The Shaw Theatre until Saturday 2 August.