Oil and Whiskey Musical
- Russell
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every so often a fringe production comes along that makes you wonder how it manages to achieve so much with so little. Oil & Whiskey, written by Dax Wiley with music by Kit Nolan, is one of those shows – an infectious, heartfelt country-rock musical that ranks amongst the best Off-West End productions I have seen this year. The evening actually begins before the musical itself, with country singer Kerry O'Dowd performing downstairs in the pub.
Accompanied simply by guitar, her selection of country-infused original songs proves a thoroughly enjoyable warm-up and sets the tone perfectly for what follows. It's a lovely touch that makes the evening feel more like a complete night of live music than simply a trip to the theatre.
The premise is deceptively simple. Former lovers Zelda and Teddy reunite over drinks and begin revisiting their relationship, accompanied by a terrific live score that allows their history to unfold through both dialogue and song. Wiley's writing is witty, warm and beautifully judged, while Nolan's music is exceptional – catchy without feeling derivative and, crucially, always serving the story rather than simply interrupting it.
The cast is uniformly excellent. Cornelius Versa makes a charismatic and vocally impressive Teddy, while Sarah Giulianti and KJ Nugin provide superb support as Bree and Ray. For me, however, Juliet Perel is the revelation of the evening. As Zelda, she combines a phenomenal voice with a wonderfully natural acting performance, moving effortlessly between comedy, vulnerability and powerhouse musical numbers. She is quite simply outstanding.
Equally deserving of praise is the live band. Musical Director Sam Weston and his musicians absolutely nail Nolan's score and, remarkably, this was only their second performance with the cast. You would never know it. The musicians and performers feel completely connected, creating the atmosphere of a Nashville bar despite being squeezed into one of London's most intimate theatre spaces.
Indeed, the limitations of the Old Red Lion make the achievement all the more impressive. Ten performers, including a six-piece band, occupy an extraordinarily restricted space, yet the production never feels small. Director Yuval Benit embraces the intimacy, while the sheer energy of the company overcomes the inevitable acoustic challenges of the venue.
There is very little here that feels "fringe" in terms of quality. Oil & Whiskey musical has the writing, score, performances and sheer musical confidence of something destined for a much bigger stage. With further development, a West End life doesn't feel fanciful at all.
An absolute joy - and a production I would happily see again tomorrow.
Oil and Whiskey Musical is on until Saturday 19th September
7pm, (Not 6th-8th, 13th-15th)135 mins
Old Red Lion Pub & Playhouse
Islington, London EC1V 4NJ
Comments