|
Receiving its premiere, The Fix, is a new musical from John Dempsey (book and lyrics), and Dana P.Rowe (music). The show is co-produced by the Donmar Warehouse and Cameron Mackintosh and is directed by the popular Sam Mendes.
With the death of presidential candidate Reed Chandler, his widow Violet, continues to scheme for the family's rise to political power by priming her son to follow in his father's footsteps. But, her son, Cal, is a bit of a rogue and needs to be trained in the necessary skills, so Violet asks her brother in law, Grahame , who has a lot of political connections, to help. When Cal finally wins his first political position, he becomes involved with a night club dancer and the Mafia as well as becoming hooked on drugs. All this is covered up , but when Cal has cured his addiction, he announces to the press about his past heroin habit and says he is going to clean the city of drug pushers and the like , which results in tragic consequences.
The story is a little far fetched and predictable and the music is unimaginative with no memorable songs. The only credible strength of the show is the talented cast. John Barrowman, who plays Cal Chandler , has a great voice and plays the part well. Kathryn Evans portrayal of Violet, is a convincing performance of a manipulative mother craving power for her son. Philip Quast, is equally impressive as the embittered disabled gay uncle. But, these fine actors are not enough to save the show.
The musical has not received good notices from the popular press. Benedict Nightingale (The Times) is in the same mind as me saying, "The Fix lacks wit, imagination and plausibility." Nicholas de Jongh (Evening Standard) is more scathing, describing the musical as , "...a roughly knocked-up show", he then goes on to say "The Fix doesn't fit. The Donmar really ought to cut down on musicals." Peter Hepple (The Stage) liked the first act but described the second act as taking "a downward plunge" and goes on to say that the score descends into "pompous and ponderous rockism, which carries unfortunate memories of seventies rock musicals." However, I agree most with Charles Spencer (Daily Telegraph), he says "No amount of fixing is going to fix The Fix. But you'll probably need one afterwards."
The show closes at the Donmar on the 14th June it is unlikely,(if we are lucky!) to be seen in the West End again.
© Londontheatre.co.uk
