John Bucchino And Friends

St James Studio, London

****

It says much for the esteem in which John Bucchino is held, that on one of the first beautifully sunny days of London's summer, he was able to virtually pack out the chic (and thankfully air-conditioned) underground venue of the St James Studio, for the first of his two-gigs-in-one-day appearances.

Here in the UK, outside of the showbiz community, only few have heard of Bucchino and that's a shame. The man has a wryly perceptive take on life clearly demonstrated in Phoebe Coupe singing When You're Here, about a relationship that's foundering and it is impossible not to be bowled over by the brilliance of Bucchino's line " it's hard to know where to go next, When there's so much more subtext than text". Coupe practically pouted her way through the song, with a perfect presence and grounding, enabling her to explore the songs sardonic humour with an understated wit, that both left the audience feeling pleasantly un-patronised and also demonstrated an actress who clearly knew her song intimately and was totally at ease with its lyrics.

For a set list of some 20 songs, Bucchino had invited a surprising total of 10 Friends to take the stage to tackle different numbers. Such was the frequency of the changes in singers that the show often felt like a scaled down X Factor, albeit one with rigorously trained performers rather than publicity seeking manufactured wannabes. Producers take note though as herein lies a massive risk: It is human nature to compare and contrast; so when an uber-talented man like John Barr raises or sets “the bar”, he becomes an extremely tough act to follow. Christian Lund’s take on Unexpressed, unimpressed in contrast as he neutered the song of the full richness of its dramatic potential, whilst Belinda Wollaston, another Aussie new in town, sang the heart-rending Temporary beautifully but with a curious stage presence, staring fixedly at the audience that became a distraction from the song’s impact. 10 guests for 20 songs is too many and at this gig, less would definitely have been more.

The afternoon's star turns were Barr, whose If I Say I'm Over You, reduced him together with some of the audience to tears and the accomplished Sophia Ragavelas. Her diminutive frame belying a voice of remarkable power and wit as she scaled the challenges of two numbers from Bucchino's Broadway musical, A Catered Affair. Amelia Cormack shone too, proving herself to be a dab hand on the fiddle.

John Bucchino is a gifted man, who on the handful of occasions  when he sang his own numbers, showed himself as a relaxed and confident performer happy to share some profoundly  personal moments from his life and establish a fabulous rapport with the room. But a venue as smart as St James demands an act that is as thoroughly polished as the postcode. Skye Crawford and Hilary Elk have done a grand job producing the show, but if they had taken a little more care over the quality rather than the quantity of the singers, what was nonetheless a delightful afternoon, might just have been perfect.

Next Thing You Know

Landor Theatre, London

*****

Book, lyrics & music by Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham

Directed by Robert McWhir

Bart Edwards and Aaron Lee Lambert

Next Thing You Know is a freshly styled show, first produced off-Broadway in 2011 and now making its UK arrival off-West End, at London’s landmark launchpad for new musical theatre, the Landor in Clapham.

This is a show written by and about young professionals in New York City. It tracks young lovers Waverley and Darren, hurtling towards their 30’s and frustrated with both career and love life. Waverley’s best girlfriend Lisa (played by Amelia Cormack) is similarly disenchanted with the romantic vacuum that the city has becomed for her, whilst the final cast member is Darren’s colleague Luke. With scenes set around a Sullivan Street bar, an office, and assorted apartments, it presents a fairly drawn snapshot of contemporary city life.

Jennifer Pott’s Waverley is perfectly cast. She’s a mix of frustration and feistiness, wanting “more” from life, just not too sure what that “more” is. Vocally sweet and at all times convincingly portraying a young New York woman, she wraps up an intriguing combination of fragility and determination. Luke is played by Aaron Lee Lambert, a seasoned trouper not long out of playing Shrek’s Donkey. His gorgeous voice and assured presence allow him to carry off some of the show’s lighter funny moments with confidence and great timing. And I Breathe, a song about his hard to shake off love for an occasional cigarette, is a treat, whilst his double act with Darren (Bart Edwards), The Way To Get A Girl, recalls Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr.

Robert McWhir directing and Robbie O Reilly’s  choreography, as always use the Tardis-like space of the Landor brilliantly, with routines that are skilful and subtle whilst Anna Michaels’ set design cleverly evokes the Big Apple as the action flits across the locations.

The 5 piece band under Michael Webborn’s direction are wonderful. Using strings and piano only, no wind or percussion, they remarkably conjure up a New York brashness from the opening bars of the Prelude. Throughout the show they are just a delight to listen to and a fabulous reminder of how much talent exists within London right now.   Complementing  Webborn’s band is Sarah Weltman’s sound design. Unusually for a Landor show, the cast is mic’d, an expensive add on for any fringe production. In this case the money has been very well spent as the mics are perfectly balanced, faded in and out with pinpoint precision and they allow the voices and tone of the actors to be enjoyed with clarity above and alongside the big beautiful sound from the band.

Next Thing You Know makes for a great “date-show”. The cast all look gorgeous, there's a soppy love story with a happy ending and it all looks and sounds a million dollars but will cost you far less. Take your squeeze to the Landor, buy him or her a large long drink and cuddle up together to enjoy the ride.

Runs until June 8 2013