BWW Reviews: RENT – 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR, Hackney Empire, April 26 2013

There are certain things one can expect from any given production of RENT: the Mark will always wear a scarf, the cast will always try to get a bit of a clap-along going in 'Seasons Of Love' and the Benny will do his best with what is a thankless, nothingy role. While it's sometimes refreshing to see new takes on well-known shows, there's a certain pleasure to be had from seeing Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking rock opera play out exactly as you expect, cringe-worthy "white light" ending and all.

There are no real surprises in this "20th Anniversary" touring production, and while it's billed as a concert, the most unexpected aspect of the evening is just how staged the show is. It's got full costumes, props and while the set is minimal, isn't it always? That said, there are chunks of songs and dialogue missing, which helps things move along fairly briskly.

Unfortunately, there are still several clunky moments: awkward silences between songs which should segue into one another straight away interrupt the momentum, and the plodding tempo of the title number in particular is decidedly uninvigorating. In addition, several missed lighting and sound cues don't serve what is an undeniably talented cast well at all.

Nikki Davis-Jones and Jemma Alexander are both terrific as Maureen and Joanne respectively, and the powerhouse second act duet 'Take Me Or Leave Me' delivers vocal power in spades. The song needs performers who can belt to high heavens, and that box is very much ticked here. Bona fide West End star Kerry Ellis, not the most obvious Mimi ever cast, is great too, and Tim Prottey-Jones is the highlight of a strong ensemble, delivering an astonishing high note in his 'Seasons of Love' solo - twice.

Rory Taylor, a finalist in ITV's 'Superstar', has an excellent, apparently effortless voice but seems under-rehearsed. Lyric flubs - I counted five - really shouldn't be happening at this level, and Taylor's Roger never quite seems like a believable person with real emotions.

That's not to say the audience seemed unimpressed; as they jumped to their feet with a reaction that can only be described as berserk, I did wonder if we'd all seen the same show. The one I saw was enjoyable, certainly, with plenty of highlights ('Will I?' being particularly lovely), but was undeniably sloppy in places and compared unfavourably to last year's Greenwich Theatre production on practically every level. Not sure I expected to be saying that.

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