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★★
Kurt Rosenberg’s new Irish musical ‘For the Lack of Laura’ has been touring the UK this Summer, with runs at both Malvern Theatre and the Shaw Theatre in London. Featuring 26 original songs, the musical follows young heroine Laura (Jane Patterson) on her quest for love, which sees sorceress Gwendolethe (Mo Lombardo) bestow a curse that gives her eternal life and the power to travel through time looking for a suitor. Upon finding love, eternal life will be passed onto her future partner, forcing them to continue living, even after Laura grows old and is gone. I had the opportunity to review this complex, fantasy-themed musical last night, which sports an exciting score but is unfortunately let down by a confusing book and a lack of precision in the visual presentation.
Time travelling in pursuit of love
‘For the Lack of Laura’ by no means follows a straightforward narrative, with the principal character travelling to multiple time periods between the 1880s and the present day. The potential suitors span various professions, from a matador in Madrid to an artist in Paris, and in turn, various musical genres and styles of choreography are explored. The time travelling occurs via a mysterious box and is supported by lighting changes, shifts in musical style and a series of screens that showcase moving planets. I enjoyed the concept but a lack of cohesion surrounding the places and times visited, makes the narrative feel random and all over the place creatively. Additionally, the time travelling structure is quite repetitive and the amount of focus on each of the suitors is unnecessary, given the limited impact that some of them have on Laura.
Inconsistencies in the visual design
A by-product of the perplexing book is the sheer number of set changes. Pieces are moved on and off stage throughout and unfortunately with so much variation between scenes, the audience sees far too much of the somewhat untidy changeovers. Additionally the mountain set has been positioned in such a way that performers have to leave the stage when they descend and you consequently hear them singing from the wings. It looks awkward and makes you wonder where the character has disappeared to.
Strength in its score and musical performances
Despite my thoughts on the visuals and book, it goes without saying that the score is wonderful, and breathes light and life into this fantasy story. You can also really appreciate the Irish influences and distinctive sound, which offer something new to the world of musical theatre.
Jane Patterson’s tone suits the softness required for Laura and Mo Lombardo displays the vocal power required for the evil Gwendolethe. I also thought the harmonies in the collective suitor numbers were sensational, with the vocals echoing across the Shaw Theatre. Even though the music is to be admired, I would like to have seen more thought to the closing out of dialogue and opening of musical numbers, so that you don’t lose the last moments of conversations.
Overall thoughts
I always feel inspired when a creative tries something new, but unfortunately in my opinion the book requires significant development. ‘For the Lack of Laura’ has potential, thanks to the charming score and exquisite harmonies, but the current presentation, visuals and storyline hold the material back. If you’re interested in seeing the production whilst it is in London, you can catch the show at the Shaw Theatre from Wednesday 30th July to Saturday 2nd August, with tickets available via the venue’s website.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘For the Lack of Laura’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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