Coram Boy Review - Spoilers ahead!

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 12:17pm

Per requests, below is a review of last night's preview performance of "Coram Boy" - Spoilers Ahead!!!!

The show is difficult to describe as I've never seen anything quite like it before. It's based on a novel of the same name (which was intended for young adults (?)) which itself was inspired by true events (not the plot details, but namely the mythological "Coram Man" who it turns out it not so mythological who in 1700's London used to (for a fee) take unwanted children to a "Coram Hospital" where they would be taken care of. In reality, he would kill the babies (often burying them alive) and traffic the older children.

"Coram Boy" deals with three generations whose lives are all deeply impacted by both this Coram Man, and the Coram Hospital. The play tells the story of a young boy (Alexander) who at fourteen is the principle boy soprano in a prestigous boys choir. He also, however, is the heir to the Ashbrook estate, and his father will have nothing to do with music. Music however is Alexander's life, which he tries to convince his father of when he (and fellow choir boy Thomas) return home for Easter. While home, Alexander's voice changes, leaving no reason for him to continue singing. Lord Ashbrook bans all music from the house and Alexander (after a brief , and very innocent afair with a young lady named Melissa) runs away.

Juxtaposed to this family is the Coram Man himself, who has a mentally challanged son. Together they collect children, and bury them claiming to take them to the Coram Hospital. The son however, is obsessed with the statue of an Angel at a nearby cathedral, and later mistakes Melissa for this Angel come to life.

The lives of these two families intersect when Melissa gives birth to Alexander's child. Her mother (and housekeeper who is in league with the Coram Man) tell Melissa her child is stillborn and give the baby to the Coram Man. His son, however, thinking that this is the child of an Angel saves the baby. Act one ends as the Ashbrooks discover the buried skeletons of the dead children on their estate. The Coram Man is hanged, and a real Coram hospital is established.

Act two takes place eight years later, and follows the fate of Aron, the son of Melissa and Andrew who has been raised at Coram Hospital, and, like his father, has a great love of music. The tragedy is that in eight years, not much has changed. The real Coram Hospital has become itself part of the child trafficking industry, and through a series of twists and turns (not to mention an AMAZING drowning sequence) most of the characters are eventually reconciled.

I found the production truly amazing. First of all, the performers. All of the young boys are played by 20-something women (with a heartbreaking, and exquisite transition from Young Alexander (played by a girl - a brilliant Xanthe Elbrick who I think diserves the Tony) to Adult Alexander (played by a man - Wayne Wilcox) literally the moment his voice changes. (Elbrick comes back later as Aron.))

I have to take a minute to talk about Ms. Elbrick. Not only does she give not one, but two of the most touching and brutally honest performances I've ever seen, but she does it while playing a fourteen, and eight year old boy. Her physicallity is unmatched, she is beautifully nervous, and twitchy as Aron, and regal, and very emotionally distraught as Alexander. She manages to make you believe that she is not only a boy, but both these characters while keeping the charm, grace, and beauty that are inherant to the fact that she is a female. Her voice is stunning as well, though, I think the real mark of her talent is her ability (while playing Aron) to portray a young boy who has natrual talent, but no training. She establishes her voice in act one, and then rematures into it in act two. I also have to give props to Young Thomas (Charlotte Parry) as well who (a dead ringer for Tina Majorino) brings a brilliant energy, and humor to her role, without ignoring the seriousness, and tragedy inherant in Thomas's life (her small speech where she talks about the other choir boys "initiating her" will make you laugh out loud, and break your heart.)

The remarkable thing about this cast is that EVERYONE is fantastic, down to each ensemble member. One gets the feeling that any one of them could diservedly have an entire show about their character, this is just the story the authors happened to tell. I don't have enough room to mention everyone spicifically, but I will add that Brad Fleischer as Meshak - the mentally disabled son, is terrific. He says few words other than "Angel" in the show, yet has created an extrordinarily detailed character through his physicallity, and vocal choices. Physically, and emotionally this show is a marathon for everyone involved (I can't think of one person who isn't involved in at least one physical confrentation), not to mention that most of the sound effects (including the dying babies) are provided by the cast.

Which brings me to the staging. Something that I really appreciated about this show was that we were allowed to see almost everything - from the actors providing the sound effects (they were placed above the graves of the children in the burial scene) to changing costumes. It gave the show the feel of, I might say a Mideaval miracle play. Just watching the choir boys change into girls in the background gave one the feeling of a group of artists carefully constructing a mural, or painting. They loving played each role as if it were a unique and distinct color in that painting, etc. Or a more apt discription might be that each was a distinct note in a symphony. The use of circles, and mirroring of characters (literally having them accross from each other) aided the symbolism in a beautiful way. The costumes, and especially wigs were great as well, not to mention the wonderful use of flying.

The music is used, I guess, suplementally. Though the idea of music is such an essential element to the plot as well as the experience, that, to quote Young Alexander who says "I don't know who I am without music" - I don't know what this show would be without music. (Handel himself is even a character in act 2. Apparently his "Messiah" was first performed at the Coram Hospital by their boys choir. And yes, it is exerps, not the whole thing.) Personally I'm wondering if this grey area regarding the originality of the music though might hurt the show come Tonys.

The interesting thing about the show is it is not overly dark and depressing (it never quite reaches the levels of say McDonaugh's "Pillowman") however it is far from light and frauthy fare (I would be wairy of taking twelve year olds, even though the source material was written for young adults). There is a hanging at the end of act one, not to mention sex scenes (though nowhere NEAR "Spring Awakening"), graphic child murders, and hords of other gory fare. But the thing that I appreciated about this dichotomy was that it never allowed the show to get either too sentimental, or too depressing.

I doubt that the show will change much before opening as it has already been running in London for quite sometime. And it feels very solid. There are great rush seats ($26.50 for the first two rows). The have not been advertizing the show AT ALL, so please go, and tell your friends. It's a great show to see with a family member. I highly reccomend it, and I can't wait to go again.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 12:48pm

<< I found the production truly amazing. First of all, the performers. All of the young boys are played by 20-something women (with a heartbreaking, and exquisite transition from Young Alexander (played by a girl - a brilliant Xanthe Elbrick who I think diserves the Tony) to Adult Alexander (played by a man - Wayne Wilcox) literally the moment his voice changes. (Elbrick comes back later as Aron.))
>>

Excellent review, and could not agree with you more, especially regarding Elbrick !! Amazing performance !! I am STILL captivated by this show (wearing t-shirt now :)) and going back Saturday night !!!

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 12:51pm

Thank you very much. I appriciate it. :)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 12:53pm

Can't wait to see it.

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 12:57pm

An unbelievable accounting of the story and review of the performances. Congratulations. Spot on!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:06pm

**************** HUGE SPOILER AHEAD *****************************















The "water" scene at the end - (when the boys jump to save themselves) was absolutely amazing ! First thing that I thought of was that Disney should take a page from that book- !!


Updated On: 4/19/07 at 01:06 PM

[tabbynyc]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:07pm

Wonderful review, Elphie3!!! I saw it Tues and cannnot stop thinking about this marvelous piece of theater. You are right, it is difficult to describe as I tried to tell my friend about it and ended up just telling her, "you have to see it"!! I will definitely see it again. I actually had tears in my eyes when the boys came back.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:09pm

Agree, Tabby ! I dont think I ever wanted to see a three hour show every night !!!

[Weez]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 1:24pm

You guys are making me so depressed I missed it when it was in the UK last. ;_; Do me a favour, spread the good word and keep going to see it, and hopefully it'll still be open when I come back in fall, even with the massive cast and everything! *does puppydog eyes*

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 2:12pm

"and Alexander (after a brief , and very innocent afair with a young lady named Melissa) runs away.
...
The lives of these two families intersect when Melissa gives birth to Alexander's child."

An "affair" is not considered "innocent" if the two have sex which makes it a consummated affair, let alone if they conceive a child. Just a phrasing thing as otherwise the statement is confusing.

There could be an entirely innocent "affair of the heart," for example. Updated On: 4/19/07 at 02:12 PM

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 2:33pm

Sorry - I was trying to be concise. I guess to get really technical it isn't an affair at all - since neither is married, or in another relationship. They have a very innocent one night stand - and I will add that they are very much in love, and stay so throughout the piece.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 2:38pm

<< They have a very innocent one night stand - and I will add that they are very much in love, and stay so throughout the piece. >>

That scene reminded me so much of "POTO", the way that Meshak
reacted to the couple in love.

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/19/07 at 10:53pm

Interesting...

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 9:00am

OK, I'm aching with anticipation here, and appreciate the synposis. I was starting to have a feeling a libretto might be required and you provided it. Thank you! It's been all I can do NOT to sneak off by myself to see this play before our tickets for next Thursday. My company decided to send me to Florida next week and I told them 'three days tops', there was no way I wasn't going to be back to see Coram Boy :)

[kerrylongphoto]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 9:16am

Just wanted to throw my hat into the ring of CORAM BOY lovers - saw this on Wednesday evening and was blown away. I encourage everyone to spread the word on this great show, so that we can keep getting National Theatre productions transferred to NY. The National Theatre's work is always nothing short of remarkable - even if the show itself is not great, there is always something fabulous about the production.

I agree that the "water" scene at the end of the second act is probably one of the most simply remarkable things I've ever seen on stage. Worth the price of admission on that alone. The last 30 minutes of this show are some of the most exciting theatre I've ever seen. So excited that we have the opportunity to see stuff like this on the NY stage!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:15am

<< I agree that the "water" scene at the end of the second act is probably one of the most simply remarkable things I've ever seen on stage. Worth the price of admission on that alone. The last 30 minutes of this show are some of the most exciting theatre I've ever seen. So excited that we have the opportunity to see stuff like this on the NY stage!
>>

Posted the same--- Agree 110 % !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 2:16pm

Bump

[buddharich]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 7:20pm

Now I really want to see this show! thanks for the really well written review!

[professor]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 7:58pm

I'm intrigued by all the references to the amazing "water scene." Can someone who has seen the show describe it?

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 8:10pm

Water Scene Description - MAJOR SPOILERS*****





Ok, so in the second act Aaron, his friend Toby, Mishak are all captured (by the evil "Coram Man" - yes I know he was hanged in Act 1. Long story). Toby jumbs over board to escape, Aaron is thrown overboard after him, and Mishak jumps in after.

Ok, so just as Mishak jumps the lights change to soft blue and a large plastic curtain drops downstage center (ensemble members sitting at the lip of the stage move it so it waves like ripples of water.) The effect looks exactly like the "Coram Boy" poster.

A moment later Aaron and Toby float down from the rafters on opposite sides of the stage, turning in all directions and reaching for the surface. Toby floats back up, but Mishak grabs on to Aaron's foot, keeping him "submurged" for a while. Aaron finally breaks free and floats back up. Mishak is trapped, and "drowns" as the Angel arrives while the the curtain is being raised. The whole thing is in slow motion, and is BEATUTIFUL.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 8:55pm

It truly is an amazing scene !! Anyone going this weekend?

Going back tomorrow night--- really cant wait !

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:29pm

Bump

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 11:41pm

Ok, I really want to see this now. Great review.