I voted twice on Thursday. That sounds highly illegal, but although once was in one of the rickety wooden polling booths on which British democracy is built, the other was in a studio theatre in West London. Vote For Me is a musical comedy set during the final leaders’ election debate in London and ends with some exciting audience participation – ticket holders get to choose the winner.
However the politicians are not Labour and Tory but Democrat and Republican. The debate is being held not in London, England, but London, Ohio. The London Theatre Workshop have brought the off-Broadway sell-out show by Americans Drew Fornarola and Scott Elmegreen to the UK, starting just before the British election. A strange timing decision as many potential viewers will be heartily sick of electioneering.
On stage are two lecterns, on which lean presidential candidates Buddy Rounsaville (Hans Rye) and Janet Tilghman (Emily Lynne). Over the evening TV anchor Robyn Fiedler (Lucy Grainger) chairs the debate between these two with the action often pausing to move behind the scenes to show the relationships, prompting and cajoling involved in winning office. Buddy’s attempt to learn the name of a foreign prime minister is particularly enjoyable.
Three more characters complete the cast, the partners of the two candidates and Joe Leather’s manipulative spin doctor with a glint in his teeth. It is an intense workout for the actors. They are all on stage for the duration, singing and dancing feverishly. Vote For Me is a rip-roaring song and dance musical comedy. It shows the insincerity of modern politicians as they try to remember their opinions on various subjects. Gay marriage? I think I was against it. But this is not news, we know that politicians say what they think will get them elected.
The play debuted in 2010 and this shows. Buddy misspeaks and gets his opinions from his advisor’s folders. Based on George W Bush, it is an easy target that is dated and has been well-mined in previous years. Rye though clothes Buddy in some decency and Janet’s Hilary-inspired candidate does not get it all her own way, the script having her spout nonsense about the Middle East and embark on a close to the bone Spend more Money anthem.
Written for an American audience, when performed in Britain the original self-criticism takes on an anti-American tone, particularly as a long list of countries rated more democratic than the US is listed at length – in a must-have-taken-weeks-to-learn song by Grainger.
Though there are too many songs, many have fun titles, including Scandal Tango and Why aren’t you president yet? There are some amusing lyrics and the cast perform them with gusto, a favourite being Janet’s song about her plan for Middle Eastern peace. Dom O’Hanlon has introduced some amusing direction, setting some of the action in a boxing ring and creating dances with umbrellas, flags and Mickey Mouse ears.
Taking part in the result of the play and getting to influence the final direction is an exciting and unusual twist. If you forgot to vote in the real election then head down to The London Theatre Workshop, on the New King’s Road. You won’t be able to influence the next five years of fiscal policy, but you can help decide the evening’s final songs.
3 stars
Seen with #LDNtheatrebloggers and Officialtheatre.
5-23 May 2015
Tuesday – Saturday, 7.45pm
Matinees at 3.00pm, Saturday & Sunday
Tickets from £12
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