It has been 36 years since Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon last appeared in London. Finally, the story of the Scottish village that only appears once every 100 years makes a lovely return to the Open Air Theatre in a new production adapted by Rona Munro. In this version, two WWII airmen stumble across the enchanted village on a very special wedding day. Brigadoon is an uplifting story designed to put current crises in a historical perspective and to celebrate the enduring quality of love. Its message is particularly apt to our present situation and its rich, melodic score soars with magic and optimism. As Tommy and Fiona, Louis Gaunt and Danielle Fiamanya, the lovers who come from different worlds, both bring extraordinary voices to their parts. Their duets, like "From This Day On," are absolutely thrilling and her voice soars with emotion. The pair's rendition of "There But For You Go I" is also unforgettable, but this outstanding moment is accompanied by choreography which seems somewhat unnecessary. It is almost as if director Drew McOnie didn't trust the music to stand on its own. The show's comic moments are also less than successful. The flirtation between the voracious man-eater Meg (Nic Myers) and Tommy's friend, and fellow interloper, Jeff (Cavan Clarke) falls a bit flat. Myers' big comic number "My Mother's Wedding Day" also just misses the mark. While Basia Bińkowska's staging beautifully captures the wild, mysterious landscape, Sami Fendall’s costumes prove distracting rather than immersive. Characters refer to materials as “plaids” that clearly are not, and the garments’ colours feel inappropriate for the 18th-century Highlands. The curious half-kilt, half-trouser outfits are simply baffling. Such issues aside however, this is a delightful production of a wonderfully life-affirming show – one that shouldn't have to wait another 35 years for a revival.
Rated: ★★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Mark Senior
When, Where, Getting there:
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