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The Band Plays On (Susan Elkin reviews)

The Band Plays On was filmed at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield and has been made available to watch online until 28 March 2021.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

The best shows always have a moment, incident or episode which really stick with you and change you. In The Band Plays On it’s Jodie Prenger singing ‘The Crying Game’ in her arresting three octave voice and then delivering a monologue called ‘Sanctuary’ in which her life falls apart at the onset of the pandemic somewhat more drastically then most people’s. I defy you not to weep for her – and then rejoice with her at the redemptive power of art.

Chris Bush’s play, directed by Robert Hastie and Anthony Lau, consists of five monologues delivered by five women of South Yorkshire, They’re played by Jocasta Almgill, Anna-Jane Casey, Sandra Marvin, Maimuna Memon – and Jodie Prenger. Think Talking Heads in miniature …

Read the rest of this review at Musical Theatre Review: https://musicaltheatrereview.com/the-band-plays-on-sheffield-theatres/

Author information
Susan Elkin Susan Elkin is an education journalist, author and former secondary teacher of English. She was Education and Training Editor at The Stage from 2005 - 2016
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