‘How wonderful it is to see a theatre being put to good use’: IN THE WINGS – Union Theatre ★★★★★ (Online review)

No Limits: A Song Cycle was the first new musical featured in four-part series In the Wings, filmed live at the Union Theatre.

It may have been a very long time since we were all able to enjoy seeing a musical on stage, but this new online series In the Wings co-produced by Justin Williams and Henry Brennan is helping to provide some comfort for theatre fans.

Shown each Friday over four weeks, the first In the Wings episode concentrates on No Limits: A Song Cycle – a musical that had been due to open at The Other Palace earlier this year, but unfortunately had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The episode cleverly blends composer Richard Thomas in conversation with the show’s composer Sam Thomas with live performances – hosted at the Union Theatre, with of course strict social distancing measures in place.

One of the overriding feelings of watching this is how wonderful it is to see a theatre being put to good use this way and allowing people to get their theatre fix in a unique way. But just as importantly it is an important way to showcase material for new British musicals and give us all hope for the future of theatre in the UK.

At thirty minutes long, the whole episode is slick and immensely enjoyable to watch – filled with intelligent and insightful conversation and performances from a cast which includes Dougie Carter (Les Misérables; Sunset Boulevard), Aaron Lee Lambert (Hamilton; Miss Saigon; Sweeney Todd), Steph Parry (Mamma Mia; 42nd Street) and Laura Pick (Wicked; The Sound of Music).

Two particular highlights performance wise were Steph Parry’s rendition of ‘Two Weeks’ filled with heaps of personality and feeling, while Dougie Carter’s performance of ‘Call Time’ was really heartfelt. But all of the performances did leave you wanting more and intrigued by what else No Limits: A Song Cycle has to offer.

While it is still immensely sad that theatres are not looking to open anytime soon, the feeling of this show is not pessimistic but rather offers a ray of hope for the theatre industry in the future.

Overall, this is an immensely enjoyable way to spend thirty minutes out of your day – particularly if you have a passion for new musical theatre shows and music from up and coming composers.

By Emma Clarendon

In the Wings: Episode One – No Limits: A Song Cycle is available to watch here. The second episode will be available to watch Friday 19th June.

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