Drenched in drama, this fantastically intimate musical is a sweet night out.
Last night I dreamt I was hanging out with Aladdin, we were having a sing-a-long, and soon Jafar joined us for a cuppa. This dream was probably, nay, most certainly the result of watching Maya at Barons Court Theatre.
Maya is a brand spanking new musical brought to you by A Stage Kindly, a theatre initiative dedicated to giving new musicals a voice, literally. Maya, written by American man, and father of nine (wow!) Rick Williams, is about a handful of individuals going through some pretty intense internal as well as environmental conflict.
The nasty gods are refusing their people rain, King Itzah doesn’t know if he's the evil guy or the good guy, there's a love triangle involving brothers and then there’s the token baddie who wants the throne (surprise, surprise). Maya really has it all: death, murder, family controversy and a whole bunch of singing.
Barons Court Theatre is a pleasantly cosy space, and director Paul Taylor-Mills manages to use it expertly. Having never experienced a Broadway-style musical in such intimacy, the close proximity feels strange at first, but I soon warm to it. Performers use what could have been obstacles, like awkward pillars, to their advantage. Beautiful shadows from overhanging ivy provided ambiance and the set design, though very simple (it could be no other way, as the entire space is needed for bodies), works.
Unfortunately, the plot is exceedingly emotional, and sometimes a little too drenched in drama. It’s bursting at the seams with every kind of ‘oh my goodness’ moment that can be squeezed into its time frame. I find myself wondering if perhaps the story line were focused on one or two plots, rather than so many, perhaps things could get a bit meatier. Either that or make it an hour longer.
The king, played by Brendan Riding, is in eternal tumult, which gets a wee bit tiresome – but we do get to see a more humane side of him in the second act. The brothers (David O’Mahony and Sam Ferriday) give good performances, as does Jessica Anne Ball, who plays their love interest. No one really blows me away – except I do rather enjoy Victoria Butler, playing one of the smaller roles. Highlight? Definitely the fight scene in second act: the a cappella is great, and a refreshing break from electric piano (not a fan).
The characters are on edge throughout, worrying about the universe, destiny, love, death, whatever... and the second act is over in what feels like a flash. A little more of a wind down and closure would have been nice. I mean it’s cheesy supreme – a Disney movie played by the living – but also a sweet ol’ night out which has my compadre close to tears at times. By the end the resolve isn’t really there, but hats off to the cast: it must take guts to sing your heart out when the audience can smell the garlic burrito you had for lunch. Loads of oomph going on then, but it’s no Aladdin.
Maya runs at Barons Court Theatre until 30th January
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