Anna Burnside reviews ‘an enjoyable and uplifting’ production.
Andy is a man-baby indie musician busking on the streets of Glasgow. Joe is a deaf choir leader who makes beats and writes lyrics. When the two meet it’s A Star is Born bromance, narrated by two high rise-dwelling oracles who are also Joe’s grandparents.
Andy, played by Dylan Young, is an all-too believable indie soldier, back home after his one shot at the big time goes sour. He has charisma, a voice and a leather jacket: all that’s missing are the lyrics that go beyond the banal. Joe - Jamie Rea - is bursting with talent but can’t find a way to break into the mainstream.
The Singer is based on a short film director Cora Bissett made with Rea. The music and lyrics, by KT Tunstall, are solid, even when writing in Andy’s hackneyed voice. There is so much firepower behind this production that its flaws are all the more glaring.
It’s based on a business model from the last century. Moody troubadours are no longer discovered by moguls who fly up from London. That game is over. And Joe is an unbelievable paragon. The closest he comes to a human flaw is to snap at Andy when he is surprised that he can drive.
Andy’s character arc starts well - he has a difficult relationship with his daughter’s mother - so far, so believable - but the choices he makes at the end are a U-turn too far.
The individual performances are all strong. Hannah Jarret-Scott and Petre Dobre double as the oracles and the other characters, and Jarret-Scott’s astounding musical versatility brings the big musical numbers to life. Wood is straight out of the Transit van and Rea is believably frustrated at the constraints he can’t seem to overcome.
Supertitles and signing are built into the production via the script and Jenny Booth’s set. This looks great all the way through, with pulsing LED speakers, and then excels itself when it becomes Glasgow’s famous Barrowlands at the end.
As it stands, The Singer is an enjoyable and uplifting evening of gig theatre. It’s just a shame it’s not an outstanding one.
The Singer is at the Traverse Theatre until 30 August 2026. It then tours to Lemon Tree Aberdeen (9-12 September), Citizen’s Theatre Glasgow (15-19 September) and Dundee Rep (23-26 September). For production details and ticket links, go to the production company’s website.
RSS