By Graham Hiley.
The Little Big Things will be the next Big BIG Thing.
It is not just a musical you should see, it is a show everyone must see – not just because it is the greatest hidden treasure in the West End but because it is life-affirming, maybe even life changing.
That is not an over-statement. Just ask anyone fortunate enough to have seen this incredible show in its infancy including Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber who posted: “I have just had the most exciting night in theatre for years. @TLBTmusical is an all British musical and it’s a total triumph. This tale of conquering disability is funny moving, uplifting, wonderfully performed and brilliantly crafted. It will be an international smash.”
Before you click away at the thought this is going to be painfully worthy or patronising, heed the words of dramatic director Nickie Miles-Wildon who said: “We didn’t want to make a story that felt worthy; it had to have a lot of fun and humour. We also wanted to avoid the traditional ‘inspirational’ story around disability – something I call inspiration porn.”
This is the bitter/sweet story of Henry Fraser who became paralysed from the neck down following a freak diving accident but battled through adversity to become an accomplished artist, holding the brush in his mouth.
It sounds the kind of hard luck tale which many may choose to avoid because it is too uncomfortable – though his autobiography did become a Sunday Times Best Seller.
The show deals with that head-on in the first minute acknowledging it doesn’t sound like a very good subject for a musical. What follows is a truly unforgettable evening which rides a rollercoaster of emotions.
You will laugh, you will cry – and sometimes do both together. The skill of the piece is that you can genuinely be about to burst into tears and literally a split-second later be in hysterics. And all set against a rousing and catchy soundtrack.
Just 600 people per show can be lucky enough to witness this masterpiece in the delightful bijou setting of @Sohoplace, the first new theatre to be built in the West End in 50 years – and the only one with backstage disabled access for a wheelchair.
No wonder there are few if any disabled actors anywhere else in London’s Theatreland, a matter of real shame for the industry. Ed Larkin, who plays Henry Fraser, is the first full-time wheelchair user to take the lead in a West End Production and shows just why there needs to be more opportunities for disabled actors.
It is an astonishing performance superbly backed up by Jonny Amies who plays “pre-accident” Henry, a dynamic which works so well the blend the humour and pathos.
But they are not alone, from established names like Alasdair Harvey and Linzi Hateley as the emotionally-torn parents to rising stars Gracie McGonigal (Katie) and Amy Trigg who gives the show a very raunchy edge as the no-nonsense physio.
The show is packed with power and pathos interwoven with a lot of humour; the use of colour is a powerful device to brighten what could have been a dark topic.
This could have been a really tough watch. Instead, the only painful part of the process of this will be getting a ticket now the secret is out! Go see it.
- For tickets and more information, click here.
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