OFS Studio, Tue June 2nd - Sat June 6th 2009

As a fan of fringe theatre, especially fringe musical theatre, I was delighted to hear that Maple Giant had chosen 'tick..tick..BOOM!' as their final production.

Interpretation of the story was faultless with insightful direction from Amy Cooke-Hodgson which allowed the actors to deliver comic and touching scenes with real expertise. She certainly knows how to craft a narrative for stage.

The cast are sensational. Each one stamps their own mark on the characters they play, especially Bonnie Hurst who uses physicality to clearly define each of her various characters. Her business woman is particularly amusing!

But it doesn't stop there, the vocals are strong, particularly Hansel Tan [Jon] who is able to use his head voice to real effect in the song 'See Her Smile', very moving.

The band are tight and are led effectively by Stephen Wiggins, who incidently also produced the show. The score is demanding in places and there are no holes here, each number is played with enthusiasm and to a very high standard.

Having seen a few London fringe shows recently, I can honestly say that this production would not look out of place in the capital. Maple Giant defintitely knows how to present contemporary theatre in a refreshing and engaging way.

If you decide to see anything this weekend, make it tick..tick..BOOM!
I can't recommend it highly enough.
FIVE STARS!

CB 4 Jun 2009

Great score, well played by a strong band, and dynamic direction shows off some incredible talent from the cast. I knew that this show was supposed to be Rent's 'little brother' but there's nothing small about this production. From the manic 'Therapy' to the touching 'See Her Smile' and the hope-filled punchy finale 'Louder Than Words'; Tick Tick Boom is a captivating musical that should not be missed.

JRB 3 Jun 2009

This rock musical was the first show written by Jonathan Larson before he became famous with Rent. It tells the autobiographical story of promising young composer Jon, who describes himself as having been promising for so long he feels he’s going to break his promise soon. He is approaching 30 and hearing the tick...tick...BOOM of approaching crisis. The show follows Jon’s attempts to come to terms with his life and his age.

Jon is played with consummate skill by Hansel Tan who is on stage almost all the time. He conveys the discouragement and anxiety of Jon very well and his singing is superb. He slips in and out of dialogue throughout the songs, narrating the events as they happen and describing his feelings, worries and fears. This could get annoying with a less accomplished actor but Hansel Tan’s command of character and emotional depth make sure the audience remains committed to him as a flawed and fearful human rather than just the narrator of events.

The other characters are played by Edward Blagrove and Bonnie Hurst. Primarily playing Michael and Susan they also capture other disparate characters with a few penetrating lines or expressions, Jon’s agent being played by both actors at different times and each nailing the character expertly so that she remains the same character no matter who is playing her. As Michael, Edward Blagrove is superb, delivering a great duet with Hansen during the joyful ‘No More’ where he delights in the furnishings of his new apartment and almost weeps with joy at the view, skipping camply across the stage from one piece to the next. Bonnie Hurst does a marvellous job as Susan, delivering some brilliant songs including my favourite of the show, ‘Come to your Senses’, a solo and the only song with no movement, just Bonnie on a raised chair captivating the audience with her voice. All three performers were brilliant and very well cast.

The set is minimalist but well thought out and easily captures the settings with a few hints and background props. Photos of the characters hung out on a line across the back of the stage is a nice touch but my favourite was the writing of the song names on a board above Jon’s apartment wall, a masterstroke that helped me (who’d never seen the show before) to follow the songs by name without having to guess and look them up at the end. The band is excellent also, with each song powerfully performed. Stephen Wiggins is musical director and Producer and he did an excellent job with the music.

The direction by Amy Cooke-Hodgson was also brilliant as the songs were active, vibrant and fluid, with some excellent touches of movement and placement. The duets especially between Jon and Sarah were very well choreographed such as in 'Therapy' where the fast back and forth of the couple’s argument is expertly managed with a sort of synchronised sitting dance of nervous fidgeting as both struggle to understand what the other is arguing about and what has just gone wrong with their relationship over the phone. It is very well done and very entertaining to watch.

This was a brilliant performance with three excellent actors, a superb band and a creative and intelligently produced show. Definitely one to watch...before the ticking stops.

Michael Hawkes 3 Jun 2009

The first thing you need to know is that this is a great score, with some really hard-hitting songs. The second thing is that it’s a touching and funny response to rejection from one man – a man who went on to write one of the truly great musicals of our time – Rent! Jonathan Larson wrote tick...tick...Boom! in response to the failure of his first show, Supurbia, as well as number of other things going on in his life at the time.

But above all this is a show about someone turning 30 without being recognised for the blazing talent he was. Anyone who’s ever been there will resonate with it – and if they haven’t they’ll still feel for Jon and his fractured life. Maple Giant has assembled a very talented ensemble of three, all of whom performed brilliantly. Hansel Tan shone as Jon, Edward Blagrove gave one of the best performances I have seen from him as Jon’s friend Michael (and others), and Bonnie Hurst was mesmerising as Susan (also playing several other parts).

The band - Lenin Alegria, Isaac Bernstein, Roger Dalrymple and Stephen Wiggins (also the Musical director) handled Larson’s sometimes complex score with real punch, and in all this was a memorable evening that left me wanting to go back and see it all again. Don’t miss this gem of a show if you can help it.

JM 3 Jun 2009

Tick...Tick...Boom! is the autobiographical musical of a success-starved composer; written by and based on the story of Jonathon Larson, creator of smash musical Rent. Jon is fast approaching his 30th birthday and his head is filled with a cacophony of feelings, pressures and worries as the timebomb of failure goes off in his mind. With 3 actors, 10 character, 14 songs and a witty, truthful and hard-hitting one-man monologue driving the show, Tick...Tick...Boom!  is a fine choice from Oxford-based theatre company 'Maple Giant'. Set in 1990, NYC, the show opens with '30/90' from struggling songwriter Jon - instantly portraying the lyrical excellence of Larson with its punchy, pulsating, piquant lyrics and penetrating accompaniment from the more than capable band. Hansel Tan (Jon) sets the tone from the off, acting as storyteller, and delving in and out of his monologue, delivering energy, focus, and the right mix of sarcasm, boldness and desperation to portray Jonathon Larson's struggle. Not to mention a superb, eye-opening voice that got my attention from the get-go. 'Green Green Dress' follows; a sexy, flirtatious duet between Jon and his girlfriend Susan - the pair have good chemistry, and terrific voices.

The duo are joined by Jon's best friend, Michael, with the three contemplating choices; their own and Jon's with 'Johnny Can't Decide', followed by 'Sunday' - showing off the tremendous acting abilities to perform as a tight-knit ensemble with glimpses into the lives of stubborn, snotty, indulgent, rude, pretentious Sunday coffee drinkers. The fantastically fun and flouting number 'No More' is next, performed superbly by Edward Blagrove (Michael) and Hansel Tan (Jon), with the boys triumphantly exalting Michael's new life of luxury. Michael's new BMW, apartment and lifestyle make Jon frustratedly consider a new career path, and along with Susan's desire to up sticks and start a new life, the pressures of life and the lack of success engulf Jon's ticking timebomb of a brain, and leave him and Susan stuck in a perplexing argument with the deliciously cynical and bantering number 'Therapy'. The jocose, mullish relationship is heightened by Bonnie Hurst's (Susan) comic timing and expression as the unsatisfied girlfriend of the typical clueless man. 

'Real Life', sees the worry and desperation behind the uncertainty of life's plans, leaving Jon in a gloomy, indistinct state of mind, and in need of a lift. 'Sugar' is Jon's story of weakness, with it 'blowing his mind' and 'soothing my soul' - clearly hinting at infidelity and drug use. A playful, energetic song, with the band on top form - dynamic, bold and energetic.

Hansel Tan shines in the number 'See Her Smile', allowing us to witness the softer side of his voice and deliver truly touching moments of sensitivity. But the stand-out number of the night came from Bonnie Hurst (Susan) with Jon's composition of 'Come To Your Senses' - beautiful, evocative and touching; a powerful, clear and flawless voice. Hurst, who has all the right charisma, intelligence, sensitivity, and of course, talent, would not be out of place in the West End, reminiscent of Julie Atherton (who incidently, happens to be playing Susan in the London Production of Tick...Tick...Boom!).

The stresses and fears of life begin to overflow in Jon's mind - his work as a composer isn't going anywhere, his relationship with Susan is deteriorating, and mid-argument, Michael blurts out that he is HIV positive. Distressed, drained and wired, Jon wanders, coming to a disused theatre. His thoughts blurt from his mouth with the number 'Why', taking the audience on a journey through his tangled web of thoughts, until he realises that whatever the outcome, he must 'play the game'.

The next day's events confirm Jon's choice to continue to compose, and as he blows out the candles on his birthday cake, realises that although the 'tick, tick, booms' of his worrying mind are still present, if he 'plays loud enough, (he) can drown them out'. The show closes with 'Louder than Words', and the decision to pick 'Cages or Wings?' - ultimately, be encased in your own worries of life, or fly and be free. Tick...Tick...Boom! is a show of wit, pressures, life and choices, with 3 strong, superbly talented actors, dialogue that makes you sit up and listen and a score full of spunk, originality and beautiful lyrics. I urge you to see this show before it ends! Tick... Tick ...

Laura Mathis 2 Jun 2009

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