Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Stage Door Theatre, London
Cast: Markus Sodergren and Tim Edwards
The Story of My Life follows the friendship of Alvin and Thomas, two men from a small town. These lifelong friends are reunited after Alvin’s mysterious death. In the abstract world of his mind, Thomas struggles to write Alvin’s eulogy while recounting the many turns that their lives have taken since meeting as children. Alvin searches through the manuscripts and stories in Thomas’ mind to lead him on a journey of remembrance. Through music and song, these two friends recount their adventures, explore their past dissonance and ultimately discover what is at the base of every strong friendship… love.
Markus Sodergren and Tim Edwards star in the UK premier of award-winning The Story of My Life, a heartfelt ode to friendship.
The Stage Door Theatre is a small venue that offered a perfect intimate atmosphere as we were introduced to Tom, a celebrated author with the monumental task of writing the eulogy of his friend Alvin. But where to begin? The beginning, naturally! Sodergren as Tom and Edwards as Alvin take us in a journey through the history of their friendship, from the first time they met (Mrs Remington) and all through life’s ups and downs. The show explores and reflects on how the paths of two people might diverge, but how the time we share with those we love brings out the best in us. It brings into the spotlight how we become the stories we live through with others.
The production is very clever in its design (David Shields), working to maximise the impact with the space constraints the venue imposes: very minimal staging comprised of all white bookshelves, complete with all white bound books and white props, furthering the illusion of being inside Tom’s mind as he tries to find how to write the eulogy.
There even was space found for a live three-piece band (Aaron Clingham, Becky Hughes and Pippa Mason), which elevated the musical numbers to new heights.
The leads rise to the challenge of growing up on stage, of taking us from the infancy of their characters all the way to adulthood. I must admit that at the beginning I wasn’t quite sold on the tone of the performance as we are presented with 6-year-old Alvin and Tom, but once you get used to the level of suspension of disbelief the show is asking of you, you can let yourself forget.
In regard to the use of the space, the small venue also allowed for more creative incursions, with the actors coming off the stage and running around the room. Using that tool is okay, and breaks the pattern which keeps the audience engaged, but in my opinion, less is more. It was used multiple times so as the show went on I saw myself anticipating when I’d have to watch my back again in case an actor came running behind me.
Overall, this show was very wholesome and even though heart-breaking, I appreciate how it doesn’t demand tears from the audience. It is soft in its pain and sweet in its innocence and simplicity, a tale of two friends that will undoubtedly stick with the audience for a very long time.
You can book tickets to The Story of My Life, here.
Review by Luma
**photo credit: Peter Davies**
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