*** (3 stars)
“Impassioned performances”
Bare a pop inspired song cycle with music by Damon Intrabartolo, Lyrics by John Hartmere and book by Intrabartolo and Hartmere celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2025. Telling the story of Peter and Jason two high school students and their friends who attend a Catholic Boarding School. Peter and Jason fall in love and must battle sexuality versus religion alongside the usual mix of teenage angst. It’s a battle that leaves hearts broken and lives forever changed.
Its highly potent material that’s both heartfelt as it is heartbreaking. Local company Edinburgh Little Theatre have revived there 2024 fringe production and moved to the smaller Hill Street theatre in a later evening slot and deliver a show that’s lost some of its sparkle from last year yet still has much potential to offer.
The small 13 strong ensemble work cohesively and deliver performances imbued with truth. Leading the company are Callan Paterson as Jason and Morgan Flannigan as Peter and they are convincing as the love-struck lovers although both need to project more while singing and not rely on the head mics there wearing as there is an in balance between the pre recorded backing tracks and the live vocals. Zoe McRae turns in a wonderful performance soaked in emotional truth as Claire and she captures every moment she is on stage. The same is true of the wonderful Linzi Devers who stepped in at last minute to play Sister Chantelle her vocals are pitch perfect and her comedy laden pathos is a joy to watch.
While the cast work hard there are some directorial choices that don’t work, the fact the part of the “Priest” has been consigned to a pre recorded voice over simply doesn’t work as the ultimate confrontation between sexuality and religion is lost and so is the stories ultimate tale of redemption.
This is a Bare that has impassioned performances a plenty and is engaging but has the potential to be so much more.
Bare – A Pop Opera, Alba Theatre at Braw Venues @ Hill Street, Venue 41, for info go to: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bare
ScotsGay Arts 