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Prayers and thoughts: The Inseparables @Finboroughtheatre

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The Inseparables brings Simone de Beauvoir’s posthumously published novel to life. It traces a lifelong friendship between Sylve and Andrée, two unconventional girls who grew up in a stifling world where being a woman meant getting married or entering a convent. With a quick pace and engaging performances from the two leads, it is a journey back into the 20th century that captures two unconventional women trapped in a conventional world that will have you reflecting on how much or little things have moved on in the last century. It’s currently playing at the Finborough Theatre .  We’re introduced to Sylve praying for her country, France, to be saved from the war and indoctrinated into the world of faith and obedience. But too smart for all that, her life was full of detached guilt and boredom. But when she meets Andrée, a new arrival at her school, she is struck by how different she is from everyone else. She was burned in a fire and had a passion for life that nobody else she knew...

Holding out for a hero: Eugenius @TheOtherPalace

You get the sense you’re witnessing the birth of a new cult musical at Eugenius. Some audience members appear to know the choreography, songs and bad jokes in advance of those experiencing it for the first time. And this isn’t such a bad thing. Particularly with its supercharged cast and uplifting eighties-inspired soundtrack this show rocks. It’s back atThe Other Palace after a successful run earlier this year. 

The book music and lyrics are by Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins. The songs are inspired with their upbeat eighties sound. Keyboards, sax solos and electric guitars abound. And there are a mix of ballads and hilarious songs to keep things irresistible. But they have to compete with a convoluted story seems like a mash up of Blood Brothers, Rock of Ages and Galaxy Quest.

Teenage boy Eugene (Rob Houchen), dreams of a distant world where superhero Tough Man and Super Hot Lady fight against the Evil Lord Hector. His nerdy friends Janey (Laura Baldwin) and Feris (Daniel Buckley) encourage him to put his ideas to paper.  So soon hie finds himself with a contract in Hollywood where fantasy and reality begins to converge.

And although the story gets bogged down with it’s Hollywood subplot, it’s hard not to like a show with a robot called Kevin and some seriously terrific wigs and costumes. Adams and Wilkins have an ear for a catchy tune and everyone looks like they’re having a fabulous time. Well maybe except for the band who sit on stage looking lifeless. 

Houchen with his strong tenor vocals deftly handles the demands of the music. And Baldwin is a delight as the nerdy girl with a super hot streak underneath. 

Directed by Ian Talbot with choreography by Aaron Renfree, Eugenius is at The Other Palace until 21 October. Go Eugenius!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photos by Scott Rylander

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