Review: Facehunters, C (Venue 34)

This remix finds us in east London. A troupe of shade-wearing hipsters functions as the all-singing, all- dancing Greek chorus, while six soloists enact two story lines. One focuses on the perils of drug addiction, the other asks whether a diehard roué can be transformed by the power of true love – and asks what’s a girl to do when she’s sold her soul for eternal youth, then decides she wants it back?

There are a few problems with this production. The young love interest seems to have the weakest solo voice, but it could be that she is very badly miked. It doesn’t help that the characters move in and out of one another’s mike range, resulting in modulation that dips and spikes. The other problem was the repetitiveness of the songs. Only two stand out, one of which, I Love You Juliet, was so superior – and executed with such exaltation – that it earned a deserved mid-show round of applause. Mainly, though, they blur into one long, decidedly un-hummable song owing more to musical theatre than anything heard in a club.

But the young cast is game, and some have really lovely voices. The script is sassy, with plenty of self-mocking jokes and wee comic turns that keep the mood light, despite the depressing message of the story line. More good than bad, then, just not a “wow!”

Until 27 August. Today 8:50pm.