Beyond Desire

Neil Rutherford Productions

In its short existence the Hayes Theatre Company has established a reputation for staging small scale musicals.

'Beyond Desire' is their latest presentation. It is an Edwardian musical mystery whose plot is a mix between Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and E M Forsters 'Maurice'.

This quite busy production with a cast of eight and a small orchestra has its moments and is not without interest but in my opinion needs plenty of work. A fairly languid pace for much of its length gives way near the end for an almost ludicrous speeding up of the action. The production also needs significant work on its sound design. The orchestra battles with the cast for prominence from the outset. As a consequence it is difficult to make out the lyrics of the early songs when the characters are being introduced and the plot established. Undoubtedly the overloud piano playing is one reason for some cast members shrieking their songs.
★★