'British' Musicals: ‘Fanatical’ (2018)

'British' Musicals: ‘Fanatical’ (2018)

Lyrics & Music by Matt Board
Book by Reina Hardy

History

‘Fanatical: A Sci-Fi Convention Musical’ is a musical with music and lyrics by the British composer, Matt Board  (who was also co-writer of the critically acclaimed 'Austentacious' and wrote 'Friends: The Opera' for Comedy Central) and a book by American playwright, Reina Hardy. The idea of a musical set at a science-fiction convention ticked all the right boxes for them: a world in love with story, and a world full of people who will unshamedly burst into song. However, developing a show on two sides of an ocean was not easy, but via four transatlantic workshops, a fringe festival show in Chicago, and a college production at Mountview, the first London production opened on 8th November 2018 at the Playground Theatre in West London.

Story

In a distant Galaxy - the ragtag misfit crew of cargo ship Angel 8 are under the command of fearless pilot Iris Aucht.

Meanwhile...at a conference centre, somewhere in England – a ragtag misfit collection of 1,000 fans gather from all across the UK for Eight Con One, the first ever official convention of the cult TV show Angel 8.

Angel 8 started as a comic created by reclusive British Sci-fi author Scott Furnish. Its first TV outing ended on a shocking cliff-hanger. With eager anticipation at the promise of a second series, these enthusiastic devotees have come together to celebrate their beloved series and to meet Scott face-to-face and hear his keynote speech.

In A Nutshell

No power in the universe can keep a story from its fans.

Production

I caught the second preview performance on 9th November 2018, finding that despite the theatre being on Latimer Road, it is a full ten minute walk from Latimer Road tube station, due to having to walk three sides of a square. The audience mainly seemed to be made up of friends and family of the performers, and the person next to me (possibly the director) was taking copious notes to feedback to the cast. The cast was led by Sophie Powles (who played Holly Barton in 'Emmerdale') as the cosplaying Andra, and Suanne Braun as convention-runner Trix (utilising her sci-fi experience having appeared as Hathor in three episodes of 'Stargate: SG1', as Cpt. Dorothy McCutcheon in 'Red Dwarf XI: Twentica', and Dotty-Ky in 'Starhyke'), with Stephen Frost (best known from the iconic 'Carling Black Label' adverts) as series creator, Scott Furnish.

The witty songs were excellent, as were the performances, particularly Powles (and Eddy Payne as young geek, Baxter), and I loved the geeky in-jokes. The set was sparse but the production was all the better for it, with all the cast throwing themselves into it fully.

Definitely recommended  (particularly if the terms cosplay, LARP, slashfic and flame wars mean something to you).

'Fanatical: A Sci-Fi Convention Musical' runs at the Playground Theatre, Latimer Road W10 until 9th December 2018.

Favourite Song

No contest –the second half's 'Any Moment Now', whose name conceals its content. I also loved 'Me Slash You' and 'Look What I Made' from the first half.

Did I Buy The Cast Recording ?

No, there wasn't one available.

Links

Production Website
Soundcloud: Fanatical