Review: HOLST: The Music In The Spheres at Jack Studio Theatre until 19 February

‘a celestial show which sings with vibrant energy’ ★★★★★

Ross McGregor has written two interlinking plays for Arrows and Traps repertory season. These feature Gustav Holst and Cecilia Payne. Each one is entire and can be viewed on its own or enjoyed on separate nights as an epic narrative.  Having seen the remarkable story of Holst, I believe it almost inevitable that audiences will want to see both plays.

Holst is a fascinating story about his desire to create music despite his health problems and against his father’s wishes. Coming from a musical family, who had little money to spare, he had to earn his living as a teacher which allowed him to follow his passion for composing music. The play shows how Holst became a brilliant teacher and how he generously gave his time to help others to achieve their own goals. It also centres on Holst brilliant compositions which means that the music in the show is supremely elevated. 

The show is far from linear and has many surprises in store. The imaginative episodes of physical theatre (with movement direction from Will Pinchin) add a celestial touch which is central to the story, not least because of Holst composition ‘The Planets Suite’ but also because one of his students was the brilliant Cecilia Payne who went on to make groundbreaking work in astronomy.

Payne Is cleverly introduced into the play as Holst’s student, helping to reveal his character as a teacher and how he instils a passion for music in his charges. Many other characters also populate the play, helping to give an overview of Holst’s private and professional life. It is very clever writing from Ross McGregor which deserves many plaudits. 

The central performance from Toby Wynn-Davies was remarkable.  He is such a truthful player with an extraordinary talent for showing emotion. It is incredibly fine acting, matched in quality by Laurel Marks as the young Cecilia Payne. Lucy Ioannou as the Head Mistress of the school was a larger-than-life portrayal which had its pay off later in the show (bringing the loudest laugh of the night) and it also allowed a good contrast to the finesse of the major roles.

‘HOLST: The Music In The Spheres’ is a show which sings with vibrant energy, never a dull moment. Aided by superb technical work it a show which needs to be seen to be appreciated in all its dynamics. 

HOLST: The Music In The Spheres by Ross McGregor

Jack Studio Theatre

20 January to 19 February 2022

Box Office HOLST: The Music In The Spheres • Jack Studio Theatre (brockleyjack.co.uk)

CAST:

Cornelia Baumann:     Isobel Harrison & Mary Thorley-Stone

Lucy Ioannou:               Benigna Holst & Frances Gray

Laurel Marks:               Cecilia Payne

Edward Spence:  Ralph Vaughan-Williams

Alex Stevens:                Adolph Holst, Fritz Hart & Sydney Bressey

Toby Wynn-Davies:     Gustav Holst

CREATIVE TEAM:

Written and directed by Ross McGregor

Set and Costume by Odin Corie

Lighting Design by Jonathan Simpson

Sound Design by Kristina Kapilin

Videography by Douglas Baker 

Vocal Coach: Sarah Case

Movement Direction: Will Pinchin

Make Up Artist: Lucy Ioannou

Pianist: Richard Baker

Produced by Arrows & Traps

 Reviewer: Heather Jeffery is Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine