Play: Stereophonic

I had heard a lot about Stereophonic from friends, but without having too much given away and having avoided reading up on it, my knowledge consisted of this play being about a 70s rock band recording an album. My how it turned out to be so much more!

The Golden Theatre in New York is a small venue, but given the set design for this play, it was best viewed from the stalls. This is because the stage remains a static recording studio throughout, ideally suited for this story since we can see from inside the control room, where the band also lounge between recording, through to the live room and vocal booths, where the actors perform the songs and play instruments. Sadly for me, I was in the balcony! Nevertheless, I could still see plenty.

Since the story followed the band's journey of completing an anticipatedly epic album, it was fitting that this play had a long running time. Usually with music biopics, you can expect the narrative to follow the highs and lows of a musician's life and career, their successes, downfalls and revival. Though only spanning a year, this play encompasses these aspects and displays the arduous work that goes into creating music, where each member seems to give their all, whilst battling with ego, insecurities, substance abuse, or separation from their families. Perfectionism has a price.

We are introduced to the band with a good 10 minutes of casual talk between characters, setting the scene for studying their relationship dynamics, establishing the couples and certain character traits. There are two women and five men, comprising of two couples: the arrogant lead guitarist Peter and his vocalist girlfriend Diana; and the drug addled bass player Reg and his long suffering keyboardist wife Holly. Their more level headed (albeit "getting sick of this shit") drummer Simon, sound engineers Grover the newbie and spaced out Charlie, comprise the remainder.

A lot can happen in a year, especially with creatives and big personalities. This mixed ensemble, reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac, makes for a perfect recipe of clashes. Even though there are established couples, it displays how work and pleasure might not always mix, especially when potential greatness is on the line. Whilst the men tend to be at ease with their talent and seek a higher level of success, the women aren't so assured of themselves and their journey tends to be more about discovery. Often, the women flip between making a go of expanding their musical horizons and doubting their talent. Being outnumbered by men and in particular overpowered by Peter, sexism and egotism ensure hopes and dreams are dampened.

They are a group, but individually they want their own thing. Though relationships will inevitably suffer, the outcomes aren't always necessarily sorrowful, since with these experiences there can be growth. Reg eventually sobers up from once only being able to function with extreme abuse of hard drugs, after Holly screams in his face with a much needed wake up call and he discovers the power of superfoods. With time and experience, Grover's questionable credentials lead to qualification and Diana's musical identity struggle blossoms to her becoming an in-demand soloist.

Professionally, the majority of the band members progress and prosper, seemingly having being overseen by the all-knowing mentor figure that was cruel to be kind Peter all along.

Aesthetically, with quality sound and set design, this play does transport you to the 70s.

Without overdoing the fashion of the era, costuming is also used as a tool to convey the band's progress. Success will inevitably bring more polishing and primping and a succumbing to the demands of industry big wigs, with outfits, jewellery, makeup and hair transforming accordingly.

The confinement of the studio causes the characters to have no choice but to live with one another, as they spend hours on end rehearsing and are up to all hours recording. Relationship woes are unable to remain hidden, even when characters think they have privacy. In a recording studio, the cracks are exposed and tensions rise.

Often the arguments and yelling are so intense, you as an audience member start to feel uncomfortable, but this gives credence to the invested and astounding performances of the cast. Though it isn't without that unnerving intensity and sadness, a fantastic catalogue of tracks and charming doses of comedy make for poignancy over bleakness.

Overall, this play holds a character study of big personalities in one of the more extreme environments: creating art together. It not only speaks to the complexities of artist types, but to the approach humans in general take to music and the affect it can have on us.