Leave to Remain, Lyric Hammersmith

I’m not going until later in the run but it got 4* from Guardian and Times, and 2* from The Stage and WOS.

The only person I know who’s seen it really liked it, although concedes it needs a bit of editing (it’s close to 2 hours without interval)

It’s “Told through a mix of music, movement and drama” featuring new songs from Kele Okereke.

So it’s either a musical or a play with songs. The Lyric website doesn’t define it.

I looked on the website on Friday as I was unsure if I liked the idea of it. No pics, films and sound bites and as I am still curious I can take my dosh elsewhere

For those who have seen this, does it have an interval?

thank you! Thought so but wanted to check 😊

I was there last night, and while its heart is obviously in the right place, and there are some decent performances, it really wasn't for me.

The fundamental problem for me was that I didn't believe in the central relationship - the initial setup was all a bit rushed and then when the relationship hit trouble I wasn't invested in the story. Tyrone Huntley as Obi is good and has the much meatier of the two lead roles; Billy Cullum as Alex comes across as a spoiled brat without many redeeming features. I thought the music was effective in scene-setting, but poor in driving the story forward. And I really don't need another portrayal of a drug high through the means of interpretive dance.

Glad I saw it but it felt like a first draft; it's way too long (it ran about 2 hours last night, oddly the programme says the running time is 1h30 so they obviously expected cuts).

Oh, and my first visit to the Hammersmith Lyric - what a horrible mean-spirited little entrance at street level, corridors and narrow staircases - Matcham would have a fit at the building where his auditorium now sits.

I Surprisingly agree with all of these reports. The show isn't great - but i loved it. Probably because we (still) have so few queer stories with a happy ending, especially on major stages. So... whilst the script is bad and full of queer cliches and the songs are middling to good it's saved by great performances and a big heart.

I do wish they'd collaborated with a theatre writer or dramaturg, as it was painfully obviously neither of the writers understood theatricality - but then the director/choreographer seems to have tried to make up for the lack of theatrics in the script by adding in far too many flourishes and dance breaks that just made me laugh at inappropriate moments.

All that said - 10/10 would go back just to stare at Tyrone in skinny jeans.

I’m on the positive side for this one. I’m not sure ‘loved it’ would be the right sort of expression for such a dour piece. It has many negatives like a left over story from the bad old drugs and gay coming out days and the lyrics are trite or often worse. However the music is thumpingly brilliant. Fresh and the most original of all the new musicals currently opening. The hooks have stayed with me.

The whole show moves almost like a ballet which makes it fluid and contemporary. One scene - a family dinner around a table - stands out as a real gem as it is choreographed to capture the energy and vacuousity of social media. It was so fresh and memorable. A little work of art. Like wise a coming down (off of crack) scene which felt tragic and despondent. Performances were universally great and I felt engaged and empathetic.

The lyric theatre is a bit off my beat but I’m really pleased I got to see this. Certainly I’ll be watching out for the next piece from the same team. Especially the composer. If you fancy a night out that has a bit less saccharine and sweet sentiment then this will appeal. It has a morose atmosphere all of its own and one that genuinely captures the spirit of Londons clubland sub culture.

Tyrone Huntley is the draw here, then again Tyrone will be a draw, whatever he is in - one of the finest young British actors, he will win an Olivier sometimes, plays a star crossed lover with Billy Cullum who is also very enjoyable, a musical or play or maybe a play with music, that talks about drug addiction and mental health and acceptance of a same sex relationship, despite a god fearing Nigerian Family, now you can see the wallpaper begin to peel. An enjoyable whatever it is, but at time it was laid on a bit too thick, than subtle.

Nothing about Brexit, but I did enjoy the show, so I would be a remainer, but poor directional choices will only limit this show to 3 Stars.