Theatre Review - A Face in the Crowd
Ramin Karimloo as Larry ‘Lonesome’ Rhodes in A Face in the Crowd [Ellie Kurttz]
THERE are plenty of contemporary resonances in American playwright Sarah Ruhl and singer-songwriter Elvis Costello’s musical adaptation of Budd Schulberg’s 1957 Hollywood screenplay.
Set in the late 1950s, A Face in the Crowd follows the rise and fall of Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes (Ramin Karimloo), an itinerant musician, discovered by an ambitious young radio producer Marcia Jeffries (Anoushka Lucas).
Marcia is looking for ordinary people to feature on her talk show. She rescues Lonesome from an Arkansas jail and interviews him. His forthright manner and skill as a crooner prove a hit on radio and soon he has a regular slot. As his popularity grows, it’s not long before the TV producers come knocking.
While Lonesome is moulded into a television personality and influencer, Marcia, now his agent and producer, shares his good fortune. But when a politician running for president becomes interested in how to use Lonesome’s celebrity for their own ends, it goes to his head.
There’s something dangerous in the sudden power he wields and Marcia worries that she has created a monster.
It is clear why Kwame Kwei-Armah (the Young Vic’s outgoing artist director) was drawn to stage the play now. Lonesome’s populism, sloganeering and increasingly dubious opinions are depressingly familiar.
Apart from a few caveats regarding underwritten characters, I enjoyed A Face in the Crowd.
Costello’s music – an appealing mix of country, soul and jazz – and the terrific live band got my feet tapping while Karimloo and Lucas’s voices are sensational.
Anna Fleischle’s versatile set effortlessly transports us from jailhouse, bar and train carriage to a recording studio, complete with producers’ gallery above.
Warmly recommended.
Until November 9
youngvic.orgOriginally published in Westminster Extra