Review: tick, tick… BOOM! St Mary’s Creative Space, Chester

Disley Theatrical Productions have certainly arrived with a bang, or should that be a BOOM!

Words: Paul Crofts

Photo: Disley Theatrical Productions/Mark Carline.

Chester is blessed with a number of talented and innovative theatre companies including Tip Top productions, Chester Little Theatre and Against The Grain so I was delighted to hear recently that another brand new company, Disley Theatrical Productions had launched in the city.

Their debut production, RENT creator Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical tick tick… BOOM! was staged recently in the gothic splendour of St Mary’s Creative Space and all I can say is wow!

Originally conceived by Larson in 1990 as a solo piece, tick tick BOOM! tells the story of Jon, a struggling New York-based composer, as he desperately tries to get his work recognised and agonises that he has made the wrong career choices in order to pursue his dream of becoming a success on Broadway. Jon is joined by his girlfriend Susan and his best friend Michael as he tries to achieve his goal.

Adapted and revamped by playwright David Auburn following Jonathan Larson’s untimely death in 1996, the show premiered Off-Broadway in 2001 and has since been produced both in the West End and on Broadway. A film version directed by Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Andrew Garfield in the lead role was released in 2021.

The production in Chester featured Phil Cross as Jon, Ceri-Lyn Cissone as Susan and Calum Craine as Michael, with direction and musical direction by Simon Phillips.

The scene is set with a swirling New York smog and an assured opening from Phil Cross as the central character Jon, who eases us in to the story and introduces the two other characters, Jon’s dance teacher girlfriend Susan and his best friend, jet setting businessman Michael. Simon Phillips’s direction makes clever use of the space and, I have to say, that meant sightlines were less of an issue than during other productions which I have seen staged at St Mary’s.

Each musical number is slick, polished and delivered with energy. Phil Cross absolutely nails the character of Jon, preppy, talented, driven and bubbling with nervous energy.

Ceri-Lynn Cissone and Calum Craine demonstrate their versatility, both playing several different characters with ease. The relationships between the characters are believable and the three actors gel beautifully together.

There were several standout moments for me – 30/90, Why and Sunday, a very neatly done homage to Larson’s idol and mentor Stephen Sondheim and based on the Act I finale of his musical Sunday in the Park With George.

The show’s director and musical director Simon Phillips has assembled not only a top notch cast but also a group of four musicians at the top of their game. Lighting by Oliver Hynds and sound by Tom Maurice were also both absolutely spot on, certainly the best I’ve experienced in this particularly cavernous space.

Bravo to the entire production team on such a successful debut production, the standing ovation on opening night was richly deserved. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Disley Theatrical Productions have certainly arrived with a bang, or should that be a BOOM!

We give tick, tick…. BOOM! a well deserved five stars.

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