BWW Reviews: iOTA in B-GIRL A ROCK MUSICAL ODYSSEY Blends Glam Rock Fantasy With Life's Cold Hard Realities

Saturday 6 June 2015, 7pm, Playhouse, Sydney Opera House

B-GIRL follows a housewife's journey as the Glam Rock Fantasy world in her mind gives her the strength to change her future. Award winning actor, singer and composer iOTA has joined with Craig Ilott to merge the shiny seventy's rock concert filled with new music in Rachel's (Blazey Best) mind with her bleak reality in this World Premiere performance.

The stage is dominated by the rock concert in Rachel's head with a rear bridge behind the elevated podium housing the 4 piece band and assorted LED lighting and sound gantries. A domestic setting of table and chairs alongside a window occupies downstage complete with tiled floor and standard lamp.

Rachel is a miserable looking woman in torn jeans, white singlet top and bare feet, sporting the remnants of a black eye. In contrast, her alter ego, the rock star Clifford North (iOTA) is an androgynous vision in silver and blue lycra, feathers and sequins complete with bare torso (modesty retained with sequin pasties). Clifford's silver clad band, sporting medieval style masks weeping blue fringes from the eye holes wear clothes from Rachel's imagining of Clifford's foray into a clothing line "Ice". Rachel's husband (Ashely Lyons) is the only character to change during the 80 minute show, demonstrating the passage of time as he appears in exercise gear, casual clothes and work attire.

Whilst the introduction of Rachel and Clifford doesn't really define the relationship between the two and her view of herself a B-Girl, potentially appearing as if Rachel is retreating into memories of her favorite music, possibly a history as a groupie, to escape her mundane world, the impact of the music, whether it be a memory or an imagination, is clear. With limited dialogue, the scenes between Rachel and her husband cement the importance of the music as a refuge from the fits of violence and anger that are repeatedly apologized for with flowers.

The music is powerful, clever and clear. A blend of almost spoken word song, rock, and ballads provides color and contrast to the show and ensures that the emotions played out in the limited dramatic scenes are conveyed through the music. The songs range from hard, vicious anger, calls to a savior or hero, and contemplative ballads. Both iOTA and Best are strong and their voices blend well and Best's physicality expresses Rachel's need for release whilst iOTA presents Clifford as a sensual seductive character as he slinks across the raised rear fly bridges and makes eye contact with the audience.

B-GIRL is a great Glam Rock concert with fabulous new music molded around the serious story line and whilst hopefully not everyone can relate to Rachel's situation, many of the audience can relate to a time when music has provide an escape from their reality and provided inspiration and personal motivation.

B-GIRL - A ROCK MUSICAL ODYSSEY

3 - 21 June 2015

Playhouse, Sydney Opera House

Photos: Daniel Boud

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