Sydney Opera House

From Sept 27

Review by Jammin’ Saturday

Bohemian angst and anger in East Village New York during a silent 90’s epidemic with a nod to Puccini’s Parisian La Boheme, RENT has not lost it’s message. Opening this week in the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, this is a strong and powered up cast directed by Shaun Rennie for Opera Australia’s revival production.

Roger (Harry Targett) and Mark (Henry Rollo) are squat roomies facing eviction, addiction, bereavement and a messy friendship group. As the seasons turn, love prevails as life decisions must be made but only one day at a time hence ‘no day but today’. Both actors deliver emotional performances, leading the narrative through the first act with conviction and pathos.

Staging is cleverly centred on movable scaffolding with an almost ghostly presence of ensemble actors as they come and go. Maureen’s (Calista Nelmes) entrance is a knock out scene of energy and vocal strength while Angel (Jesse Dutlow) brings an earthy wiseness to their advice and in dealing with a devastating prognosis.

Musically, the singers are backed by an incredible band on view in the pit. The second act picks up the pace, particularly in the resonating harmonies of 525,600 minutes from ‘Seasons Of Love’ sung by the entire cast in a therapeutic circle. As Collins (Googoorewon Knox) tries to move on from loss and Mimi (Kristin Paulse) rekindles her feelings for Roger, antagonist and landlord Benny (Tana Laga’aia) redeems himself in support of his friends.

Like the grainy films of narrator Mark, RENT intensely documents a certain time, a year amongst talented yet taunted friends and reminds us of the power of love over adversity. Highly recommended.