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Review: Scenes From a Memory (November 2005)
I should reveal now that I don’t like concept albums or rock operas. This may have something to do with my father’s insistence on playing the camp-as-Christmas War Of The Worlds album by Jeff Wayne in my presence as a toddler. Even at an early age, I could recognise the sheer pomposity and ridiculousness of 70’s “rock epics”. My aversion to the music of David Essex, I am pleased to say, remains to this day.
It was with some trepidation, then, that I approached the BATS’ production of Scenes From a Memory - based on the album by American prog-rockers Dream Theater. The story follows Nicholas and his quest to discover the meaning behind the strange dreams he is having about a long dead woman.
Director and writer Danni Segal certainly has plenty of ambition. Adapting an album of this nature into a thriller - a “world premier” - must have been no easy task.
And, much like the De La Warr Pavilion auditorium on a cold November night, this production took a long time to warm up. When it did, the audience could watch an effecient little murder mystery. Clearly there is some good stuff to be found within the album and there is the basis for a gripping story.
It was more frustrating then anything that it took a while to get there. Early on, the play failed to hold the attention of the audience with some waffling dialogue and a constant flitting between dreams and reality which served to confuse me, rather then give the intended representation of the state of mind of the lead. Perhaps, as a self-confessed fan of Dream Theater, the writer tried to be just a bit too faithful to his source material.
That said, there were pieces to admire in a performance which has plenty of potential to become far more polished. Greg Hulks, Maureen Taylor and Dominic Coughlan solidly looked after the “present” side of the story, all be it with a few opening night hiccups. The strong trio of Clare Sayers, Keith Bird and Dave Bourne handled the far more interesting and well written mystery of the past.
Danni Segal made good use of the associated music and pertinent lyrics. The twist he incorporated into the end of the piece is a beauty. His enthusiasm for the for the subject also shone through in the mood of the performance. Credit should go to sound and lighting crew on what must have been a more demanding role then usual.
The BATS should be applauded for a brace crack at a difficult concept. You just feel there is something better bubbling under the surface. At the very least though, it will make me reassess the genre.
Just don’t ask me to listen to David Essex...
- Daniel Collins, Bexhill Observer, 25/11/05
Review reproduced by permission
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