The Girl from the North Country Show Review
I was invited to the press night of ‘The Girl from the North Country’ at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre. Running until 18th March at New Wimbledon Theatre in London completing their UK Tour. A double Olivier and Tony Award winning West End smash hit show, described as a heart-breaking and universal story about family and love. It was an absolutely fascinating show with great staging, choreography and stunning music.
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So what is Girl from the North Country Show all about? Find out everything you need to know about the show and UK tour!
The Story
Set in Minnesota, we meet a family living in a shabby guesthouse. Nick Laine, head of the family is struggling to keep things afloat. He is caring for his mentally unwell wife Elizabeth, his pregnant adopted daughter and a son with an alcohol problem. Staying at the guest house are also a motley crew of characters all with their own issues and challenges to overcome. This heart breaking story is ultimately the story of family and love.
The characters
All of the cast are a real credit to the show, all stand alone stars. Combined together with the fantastic music by Bob Dylan, performed live on stage with band The Howlin’ Winds. It is easily one of the best shows I have seen!
I fell in love with Elizabeth played by Frances McNamee, struggling with mental health, her character delivers some brilliantly comic scenes and a very convincing performance. Her rendition of ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ was just simply iconic. ‘I want you’ performed by Gene & Eve was magical, ‘Forever Young’ at the end made my hairs stand on end and ‘You Ain’t Goin Nowhere’ was such a fun number with the whole cast joining in.
I loved the way some songs would start slowly and gently as a solo before the whole stage would erupt with energy with the cast singing and dancing in complete harmony. The choreography was quirky and contemporary, I found the backing singers just as mesmerising as the main performer of the song and I always enjoy seeing a live band play on stage.
The staging was simple yet clever, predominantly set inside the the guest house, with shabby furniture added and removed to create each scene. There were large translucent screens that came down to separate areas adding a real depth to the stage as you could still see the cast as silhouettes behind them.
My thoughts on the show
I was not prepared for how breathtakingly beautiful and emotional this show was going to be. Not being acquainted with music by Bob Dylan, I wasn’t sure what to expect. With a country folksy twist…. the music was quite simply stunning. I found Girl from the North Country absolutely fascinating, humourous in places but raw and emotional in others and the music just flowed so beautifully throughout, it actually gave me goosebumps. During the second half, I did lose track of the storyline but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the show. I could watch this show again and again. Incredible!
Everything you need to know to book tickets for Girl from the North Country:
Meet The Cast & Team
- Ross Carswell – Elias Burke
- Colin Connor – Nick Laine
- Joshua C Jackson – Joe Scott
- Eli James – Reverend Marlowe
- Justina Kehinde – Marianne
- Teddy Kempner – Mr Perry
- Chris McHallem – Dr Walker
- Frances McNamee – Elizabeth Laine
- Gregor Milne – Gene Laine
- Eve Norris – Katherine Draper
- Mrs Nielsen – Maria Omakinwa
- James Staddon – Mr Burke
- Rebecca Thornhill – Mrs Burke
- Frankie Hart – Ensemble
- Graham Kent – Ensemble
- Owen Lloyd – Ensemble
- Nichola MacEvilly – Ensemble
- Daniel Reid-Walters – Ensemble
- Neil Stewart – Ensemble
- The Howlin’ Winds band members are: Ruth Elder – Violin & Mandolin, Andrew Corcoran – Piano, Ed McFarlane – Double Bass, Felix Stickland – Guitars
Tour Dates and to book:
- Wimbledon New Wimbledon Theatre – Tue 14 Mar – Sat 18 Mar 2023
What age is suitable for the show?
Recommended 12+
What is the expected running time?
Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes including an interval.
Warnings:
Contains swearing. Replica guns will be used in the production.
I was invited to the press night of Girl from the North Country Show but all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.
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