Review: TRIO, New Wolsey Theatre

There are two sides to every relationship. Except, that is, when there are three.

Trio, at the New Wolsey Theatre, is a musical play that follows three music industry professionals as the trajectories of their lives intertwine over several decades.

Our first introduction is to Rebecca, played by Gina Murray, a recording studio receptionist who is open to life's possibilities. Decked out in 80s glam with a Farrah Fawcett hairstyle to boot, Murray is instantly believable as a power-ballad belting diva, her voice familiar in turn of the late Olivia Newton-John, Pat Benatar, and Lyn Paul. Arguably a little wilful for the susceptible woman she's playing, one who readily discards her own ambition to dedicate her life towards different men, Murray possesses an easy charisma.

We next meet successful producer Ian, portrayed by Ian McLarnon. Though spiteful, vindictive, and prone to snobbery, the character is ultimately not without charm and McLarnon lends depth to this near caricature of a middle aged gay man with singular passion, especially when he sings in the second act. The titular trio is completed by Richard Costello as Phil, the romantic desire of both of his onstage companions and a gifted singer songwriter. Costello's delivery of Phil's often anguished dialogue has a loose, improvisational feel and his vocal performance is convincing.

If each performance is a little one-note, there is enough variety between them at least that they form a satisfying chord. Both the cast and the show itself are best enjoyed in song. The soft rock score packs a hefty emotional punch and though, just occasionally, the desire for a character to sing something at an emotional pique goes unanswered, the collection of compositions make for a believable nostalgic hit-parade.

At its core, Trio's biggest wound is a self-inflicted one. It undercuts its own capacity for dramatic impact due to its structure, with each character taking turns to discuss the events of their tumultuous shared history in the past tense, emotionally removed from each historic detail and inherently dispassionate. This unusual recounting of increasingly tragic and shocking circumstances has the unfortunate effect of drawing laughter from the awkward crowd. Additionally, though the narrative traverses a handful of heavy and important topics, there is definitely scope for them to be handled with greater sensitivity.

The set is smartly designed by LIBBY WATSON as a recording studio, the cleverness of which is perhaps underutilised in the reasonably unadventurous staging. The narrated dialogue is interspersed with a score of newly penned classic rock songs which, both of which are the products of a collaboration between the show's trio of writers Paul Sirett, Ben Goddard, and the venue's previous Artistic Director Peter Rowe.

What Trio does do well is afford its cast of three the opportunity to simmer through years of painful recollections before boiling over with emotive musical performances. It must also be said that the show's ending, though a beat too long, is a stroke of brilliance, dramatising a scene that has already been described to tremendous effect. This does, however, serve to highlight that the narrative would be far more satisfying with more interjections of traditional dialogue between its characters - less original perhaps but likely easier to enjoy.

As part of its brief run at this Ipswich venue, the production is also being livestreamed on the 14 and 15 October.

Trio runs at the New Wolsey Theatre until 15 October

Photo Credit: Will Green

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