BEFORE AFTER - SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE REVIEW

Last week, I visited the Southwark Playhouse to attend one of the final few performances of ‘Before After’. A Fantastic new musical, first streamed from Southwark Playhouse back in 2020 - but now it is back, better than ever and FULLY STAGED!

I have been looking forward to this show for quite some time, mainly due to the fabulous talents involved in the cast, Grace Mouat and Jacob Fowler! I am feeling rather glad that I caught the show during its run - it has such a lovely feel to it.

This brand new musical features a great score, with Music and Lyrics by Stuart Matthew Price. Each song beautifully written and fitting. The vocal talents of the cast were shown greatly as the songs range from belty numbers to soft ballads, all which carry the story along with fluency and power. 

The book, written by Timothy Knapman gives a unique tale of a couple who are given a second chance at their relationship. This story has it all, from the hard-hitting emotion, to the comedic moments and so much romance! It truly just feels real.

Fantastic job from both Stuart Matthew Price and Timothy Knapman.

Grace Mouat plays Ami. Mouat’s vocals are just out of this world! Singing the majority of the songs in the show, Ami is a brilliant, strong and powerful female role within theatre - one I know that is going to grow ever more popular for female vocalists, and Mouat takes this all in her stride, bringing her masterful performance skills to a gorgeously written character. Her take on Ami is a joy to watch and she really plays the part well. Her onstage relationship with Jacob Fowler as Ben is strong and exciting, the two make a perfect pairing.

Jacob Fowler in the role of Ben is another great example of magnificent casting. Fowler brings charisma, comedy and heart to this character - as well as his insane vocal talent. Fowler played the funny moments of the show with skill. This made things even more heartbreaking in the sadder parts of the story.

The two performers, Grace Mouat and Jacob Fowler both give impeccable performances and if the show hadn’t closed - I’d tell you to go and watch it, but certainly do look out for them in their future endeavours.

The performers were accompanied by a lovely little band of 4, who also got a great big cheer of appreciation after the show - and it was so so well deserved.

The technical aspects, whilst small within the venue they were in, accented the piece beautifully.

I think that ‘Before After’ is both fantastic but also full of potential and I cannot wait to see where it goes in the future with its amazing songs and storyline.

Robbie Davies | Robbie’s Backstage Bants

March 3rd 2024