Hayes Theatre

Review by Jammin’ Saturday

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Bright Star currently playing at the Hayes Theatre shines with love, vigour, redemption and bluegrass foot tappin’ tunes.

The story unfolds through two intertwining narratives of Billy (Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward), an aspiring small-town writer back from war service and Alice (Hannah McInerney) navigating her life as a Southern woman and demanding literary editor.

The full company double or even triple as musicians and stage hands, constantly moving lightly around the compact stage to deliver a piano, ladders, doors, chairs, maypole and an ingenious suitcase train as props. Instrumentalists revolve between fiddles, accordion, guitars, zither, banjo, spoons, cello and jaw harp to accompany tight vocal harmonies and heartfelt ballads.

Written by banjo aficionado Steve Martin and alt-rock singer songwriter Edie Brickell, Bright Star references a ‘true story’ newspaper article unearthed by Edie. Although Tony nominated during a short Broadway run in 2016, the musical was plagued by financial woes and closed. In the intimacy of the Hayes however, we are swept into the strengths and weaknesses of each character as their stories unfold.

An essentially tragic tale of young love intersperses uplifting moments including Lucy’s (Deidre Khoo) joyous ‘Another Round‘ and ‘Whoa Mama’ from Jimmy Ray (Kaya Byrne). The title tune ‘Bright Star’ is a highlight yee-haw number with a catchy lick that lingers long after the actors resolve their individual intrigues.

“Shine on Bright Star…..” and full credit to Hayes Theatre and Sport For Jove Theatre Company creatives and cast for a cosy yet invigorating and refreshing SOLD OUT production. Let’s hope for a come on back y’all run soon.