Back to the Future variety performance
'Back to the Future' is a sure fire hit
Martine Rogers’s concept for a variety show is clever, innovative and imaginative.
With a Back to the Future theme, the show can wander back and forward through time as we eavesdrop on Marty McFly (Arthur Rogers) and his sidekick Jennifer (Erica Haughey/Caoimhe Halpin) aided and abetted by madcap scientist Doc Brown (Bartholomew Rogers) as they dash about through history.
There’s quite the chorus opening with a scene from In the Heights as Usnavi (Tom Rogers) raps his way along as he backgrounds the problems of living in a in the predominantly Dominican community of Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan, New York, where rising rents and racism disrupts dreams of a better life in 2008.
The show constantly moves backwards.
Before we know it we’re in 1980 for the jukebox Billy Joel Musical Movin’ Out with Dinin’ Out and we get a blast of children’s poet Ken Nesbitt’s Homework Stew from Rebecca Fan.
Dead Mom from Beetlejuice is hilarious and, before we know it, we’re back in time to Grease where the Greasers and the Pink Ladies face off in Greased Lightning.
Lucy Power is a delight as a 1920s Thoroughly Modern Millie before Young Frankenstein (Arthur Rogers) raises his plans for resurrecting life with a deadly-cool monster (Luca Fitzgerald) as they’re Puttin’ on the Ritz accompanied by half-a-dozen or so Tappin’ Flappers.
Fame – all big hairs and tutus, t-shirts and leggings – is a burst of energy before a reflective Little Women scene featuring Better and our Finest Dreams gives us a bit of a breather.
Fireside Tales from 1890 features some of the dramatic work at the Stage Coach with a variety of poems and recitations that all finishes off with the Calamity Jane classic Windy City sung by the excellent Jane Harkin.
Hamilton is the stand out item in this long show and the Schuyler Sisters is a big hit with the Barron Hall.
A send up scene from the Crucible is clever and witty – although I’m not quite sure that Arthur Miller might approve – is brought to an end with two snooker players searching for the Crucible.
A final Defying Gravity with Róisín Breen as Glinda and Meabh Power as the flying Elpheba sent us on our way. Happy out.
Well done Stage Coach who was named Best Youth Show in the Green Room Awards earlier this year for Annie.
