The Light in the Piazza (Southbank Centre)

I was also there at the matinee today.

Well, the score is glorious! (Although I knew that going in). If you had to describe my musical aesthetic in just one show, this would be it - lush, lyrical, romantic, operatic and just sublime! I know that this type of score can be a required taste, but how anyone can find this derivative is beyond me. It is evocative of so much - the Italian landscape, the excitement of first love and unspoken feelings coming bursting to the fore.

It was also a relief to hear the score so well sung:

- Rob Houchen as Fabrizio was a revelation to me. What a voice that man has, and a perfect fit for this score. I would certainly like to hear more of him in the future.

- Renee’s singing was beautiful also, even if Margaret’s music sat a bit low for her. (Her acting on the other hand was sometimes somewhat questionable. Her laughs did not always land, and she was more naturally suited to the dramatic aspects of the part which fitted her well).

- Dove Cameron was a very pleasant surprise. Her voice was very pretty, and was perfectly suitable for Clara, even if she obviously does not have the heft of Kelli O’Hara. As another poster has said, her “The Light in the Piazza” was beautiful, and had me welling up. It was probably one of the standouts of the whole production.

- Celinde Schoenmaker was brilliant as Franca, if a little under-used.

It is just a shame that this gorgeous music is married to what in my opinion is such a dramatically inert story. Of course, I imagine this is more a fault of the source material than the musical itself. Whilst the relationships of the various couples are quite complex, the story is not. After the initial meeting of the two lovers, the first act doesn’t really go anywhere, and quite frankly I was more than a little bored in some moments. However, the second act is much better, and seemed to pick up the dramatic momentum a little more.

The production was serviceable, if nothing more really than a staged concert.

Still, it is worth going to hear this score played by the 40-piece Opera North Orchestra, and sung so well. It is also great to finally be able to see THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA on the London stage. There are more than a few moments of emotional connection, where I had tears welling up in my eyes - Clara and Fabrizio’s first meeting, “Say It Somehow”, Dove’s “The Light in the Piazza” as mentioned above, “Love to Me” etc. Evans’ direction often lets silence speak for itself.

Go if you can!