Rue Magique *** TNT
Despite the name, don’t expect to see a charming pre-Xmas fairytale for children. This new musical by psychotherapist Brett Kahr (his first) and director Lisa Forrell encompasses some tough topics – homelessness, drug abuse and, primarily, child prostitution. Instead of an evil stepmom, we get Desdemona, the deeply disturbed Madam of a South London brothel who won’t leave the house, has a pathological horror of dirt and mess, and views her reluctant 13 year old daughter Sugar as profit-making merchandise.
Despite the name, don’t expect to see a charming pre-Xmas fairytale for children. This new musical by psychotherapist Brett Kahr (his first) and director Lisa Forrell encompasses some tough topics – homelessness, drug abuse and, primarily, child prostitution. Instead of an evil stepmom, we get Desdemona, the deeply disturbed Madam of a South London brothel who won’t leave the house, has a pathological horror of dirt and mess, and views her reluctant 13 year old daughter Sugar as profit-making merchandise.
Melanie La Barrie’s Desdemona delivers a couple of powerful numbers and, away from the whorehouse, it’s upsetting to see Nadia Di Mambro’s abused Sugar shy away from the gentle kiss of well-meaning local lad Rem who works in the corner shop. The ultimate intentions of this show are obviously serious, but with far and away the best song (The Viper’s Tale) given to a sad trio of fat, masochistic and gay punters, the emotional balance tips too far into the comic, and the writing isn’t always quite punchy or sophisticated enough to get the traumatic message over with the credibility it deserves.
Kings Head Theatre, Upper St, NI (0844-412 2953). Until December 7. £20- £25 (concessions available
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