Fate: A New Musical
Fate: A New Musical makes its public debut as part of Fringe World 25. Presented by Morai Productions, it plays for a very short season, well directed and nicely performed.
Old Mill Theatre has embraced Fringe World with additional seating in the foyer and Front of House staff adding hot pink to their usual black attire. This short season is well attended, and I hope that this venture will bring new people to the usual residents.
Fate feels like the musical baby of Rent and Xanadu, a gritty little musical that combines themes of protest and social equity with delving into the world of Greek mythology. Simply set, with protest signs framing a maypole on a platform, the opening of the play shows us the sister Fates who control life and death.
Our Grecian Fates are well played with a tangible sisterhood. Oldest sister, cynical and controlling is played with power by Jessica Huysing. Youngest sibling Clotho, open minded, naive and confused is beautifully portrayed by Ciara Malone, while leading lady Lachesis, whose trip down to 2000s Chicago is the catalyst for the story, is expertly portrayed by Ella Monaghan.
Theo, who meets the unworldly Lachesis and with whom there is a fledgling love story, is sympathetically and charmingly played by Blair-Price Morgan, while Lukas Perez is a delight as outspoken Em, working beautifully with the wide-eyed Clotho.
A small ensemble, Paige Alexander, Tashlin Church, Arteries Emmanuel, Kieran Ridgway and Jessica Wilkins work hard throughout, creating some lovely cameo characters.
Lighting designer Joel Brooker makes some bold choices that work well. Sound balance was good, but microphones were left live backstage for lengthy periods which was disappointing.
Overall, a very impressive production of a musical with great potential, that I would love to see developed further.
Kimberley Shaw
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