★★ by Ifan Llewelyn
The UpStairs Lounge in New Orleans was a glittering refuge from the violent reality of being a queer person in 1973. That violent reality eventually engulfed the lounge in fire as an arson attack on the gay bar took the lives of 32 of its patrons, deaths that no one was held accountable for. The View UpStairs at the Soho Theatre stages that fateful evening, thrusting into it an Instagram influencer who years later is planning to demolish the space to establish his “brand”. Max Vernon‘s queer musical history lesson for an entitled millennial is relentless in driving home its message of queer kinship.
We meet sassy social media queen Wes (Tyrone Huntley) as he takes a first look at a building he’s buying down in the South. Needing to escape New York, he’s determined to set up his flagship store in the dilapidated space he’s just purchased against the advice of his therapist. After snorting a questionable line of coke, he finds himself thrust backwards through time to 1973 surrounded by the gay bar’s regulars: butch feisty barmaid Henri, resident drag queen Freddy and his mother Inez, phony priest Richard, rentboy with a heart of gold Patrick, brash group foreman Willie, troubled waif Dale, and moustached piano man Richard. Culture and history come crashing together as the privileged Wes comes face to face with the oppression faced by ghosts of queer folks past.
The first impression this production gives is one that it truly allows the company to shine. Each character is given their time centre-stage, and each performer has the vocal prowess to truly milk those moments. A stand out performance is given by Cederic Neal as Willie whose runs and sheer vocal power is truly astonishing. In company numbers, they showcase what this talented crop of performers can deliver and its exhilarating.
Musically there are a few belters here, particularly the opening numbers which brings a great energy to the production. Opening number “Some Kind of Paradise” instantly emerges you in the exciting energy of a rare queer haven buried in the brutal world of the American south in the early ’70s. As the play progresses, however, we steer further away from that energy and land in more generic musical theatre territory, with one confessional ballad after another. Being set in one of the most musically intriguing times in recent history, in a city famed for its distinct sound, not leaning into those stylistically feels like a missed opportunity.
The writing is rather simplistic with our players declaring exactly how they feel exactly when they feel it which makes the piece feel rather shallow, and really a little too heavily on tired queer tropes. As a result, you’re left-leaning back unengaged, though still entertained as the show comes to its inevitable conclusion. These are compelling characters that Vernon has sketched out, portrayed by a talented company, though they fall flat when it comes to their dialogue and development. Moments that were intended to be rousing feel a rather cringe-inducing with all the lyricism of an enraged Twitter rant.
The View UpStairs is running at the Soho Theatre, Soho W1D 3NE. Tickets available at SohoTheatre.com.
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