Review: TEDDY, The Vaults Theatre

Following a UK tour, original 1950s rock 'n' roll musical Teddy has landed at The Vaults Theatre. It brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of a crumbling post-Blitz London and combines a live band, a talented duo of actors, and energetic dancing for an exciting show. The unique poetic language, written by Tristan Bernays, sets a beautiful rhythm and lends it an artistic feel.

Teddy and Josie are a "Teddy boy" and "Teddy girl", two rebellious teens who are focused on their appearance and having a good time. They meet while on a night out with their friends and are instantly attracted to each other, despite Teddy's nerves and Josie's hard shell. They're both obsessed with the band Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts and when they discover he's playing a secret show in London that night, they're determined to see it no matter what they have to do to make it there.

Most of the show is told through Josie and Teddy's alternating spoken narrative, which contains beautiful rhymes and sounds almost like iambic pentameter. This pattern is only broken in scenes when the two have dialogue with each other.

Teddy, directed by Eleanor Rhode, was first seen in 2015 at the Southwark Playhouse. It has just returned to London after touring across the UK. It boasts thrilling choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves in a 1950s style unlike anything else in London currently. One of the dance sequences also features some impressive lifts by the two leads. It's the kind of upbeat jumpy dancing that makes you want to dance in your seat.

The show's music by Dougal Irvine is reminiscent of hits made famous by Elvis Presley and "Blue Without You" and "Ready Teddy" stand out as highlights, mixed in among some authentic hits from the 1950s. I also enjoyed the slightly more modern sounding "Outlaw on the Run".

The music is played onstage by the band, Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts, and each musician has a 1950s alter ego of sorts that they inhabit. Andrew Gallo is great as the drum player Sammy 'The Sticks' Smith while Harrison White plays guitarist Buster Watson in addition to being the show's Musical Director.

Freya Parks gives a great performance as the sassy bass player Jenny O'Malley. Dylan Wood is appropriately charismatic as the band's front man Johnny Valentine and his voice is very well suited to the 1950s tunes. They've even recorded an album of eleven tracks that is available to purchase at the venue or on iTunes and I've no doubt I'll have it on repeat over the next few weeks.

The cast is made up of just two actors, who in addition to playing the main characters, briefly take on other characters as well using mostly body language to identify that they've slipped into being someone else.

The defiant and tough Josie is played by recent graduate Molly Chesworth. Her dancing is lovely and she brings an amazing energy to the role, in addition to being hilariously funny. While she has great stage presence as Josie, she truly shines when she's doing the more caricature parts. (A personal favourite was her as Tully, the thug who is attempting to romantically pursue her.)

George Parker is every bit her equal as Teddy, a boy who isn't quite as hard as he likes to project. He was very endearing in the bits about his infatuation with Josie and was similarly comical while stepping into other roles, such as a pawn shop owner. I was also impressed at how well he handled fight scenes in which he had no partner.

Part of what makes the show so exciting to witness is the way the set design by Max Dorey builds the 1950s-post-war atmosphere. The whole theatre contains bits of rubble, so that as soon as you enter, you're plunged into that world. The design is overall simple, but very effective. The costumes by Holly Rose Henshaw are also wonderful from Josie and Teddy's to each band member's. It made me want to go out and buy a full recreation of Josie's costume.

Teddy is an energetic, thrilling, poetic new musical that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With both exciting dance scenes and suspenseful dramatic moments, it brings to life a period of teenage rebellion and the birth of rock 'n' roll. With its two talented leads and live band, it's definitely one not to miss.

Make sure to check out my interview with Molly Chesworth, who plays Josie.

Teddy is on at The Vaults Theatre until 3 June.

Photo Credit: Scott Rylander

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