Seat: Stalls, P9 | Show: Thursday 3rd August Matinee
Ahead of a Canadian run, In Dreams had a month-long run at Leeds Playhouse to showcase its inevitably award-winning performances. Written by Schitt’s Creek and &Juliet’s David West Read and directed by &Juliet and In the Heights’ Luke Sheppard, In Dreams tells a tale of love and friendship using the music of Roy Orbison. You can definitely tell Read and Sheppard’s influence from their previous collaboration in the jukebox musical setting to create a modern story.
The story follows Kenna Ryan, a semi-successful musician who was once the lead singer of hit country-rock bank Heartbreak Radio. 15 years on from Heartbreak Radio’s split, Jenna is still gigging solo in bars and clubs, but hasn’t spoken to her bandmates for years. When she receives some unfortunate news, she decides to have a ‘going away’ party where she reconnects with new and old friends. This is one of those plots that is very predictable, but it is one of those feelgood stories with characters you can connect with, so it doesn’t matter too much.
The set design was done by Arnulfo Maldonado and, paired with the lighting design by Howard Hudson and video design by George Reed, it really encapsulates the atmosphere. Even at the back of the theatre (where I was sat), you feel like you are really in that environment. The Mexican restaurant feels like a such a communal space, which is helped by its very welcoming owners, so it is a great setting for most of the action to take place.
I was not really familiar with the music of Roy Orbison (except for the obvious Pretty Woman) so the jukebox aspect was mostly lost on me, but the audience around me seemed to enjoy themselves (with a couple singing along, which is a no-no but a given with jukebox musicals). The orchestration (by music supervisor Catherine Jayes) was performed excellently by Steve Bramwell and Nick Hill on guitar, David Keech on percussion, Gordon Davidson on the electric double bass, Patrick Hurley on keys (also music director) and Rachel Steadman on violin/viola. These songs weren’t all my favourite, but they worked well for what they were used for – I would say the best song was You Got It.
The vocals are incredibly sung by the extremely talented cast led by Lena Hall as Kenna. She will be following the production to Canada, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this role was specifically written for her. She plays the role with such sincerity and likeability that you easily sympathise with Kenna, even in her faults and flaws. Alongside her is Oliver Tompsett playing British heartthrob drummer-turned-Uber driver Ramsey, Kenna’s ex. Tompsett is certainly a standout, and his performance of I Drove All Night was probably my favourite in the whole show. The two of them build great tension in their characters’ relationship and it is exciting to watch. Sian Reese-Williams and Noël Sullivan round out Heartbreak Radio as Jane and Donovan, a married couple who haven’t had time to connect in years due to their busy schedules with 5 children.
The owners of the restaurant, Oscar, Nicole and Ana Sofia are played by Manuel Pacific, Gabriela García and Alma Cuervo respectively. These three feel so familial and I really enjoyed the heart that they brought to the show; just like they do with Kenna, it feels like they invite the audience into their family. Another special mention is Leon Craig as Tom, Heartbreak Radio superfan, who is both a brilliant comedic relief and a wonderful addition of joy to the already lovable cast.
Overall, this show is a lovely celebration of friendship and family and reminds us to cherish our loved ones and reconnect. Some aspects of the show could be more developed, such as certain characterisations, but this show is definitely not far from being a fan favourite.
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