Review of the Rob Frost and Paul Field musical by Tony Cummings.
Although some might be tempted to think of this as the follow-up to the hit musical Hopes & Dreams, in fact this is a very different animal, a contemporisation of Pilgrim's Progress with all manner of devices to bring home the spiritual points. Apart from narrator Rob Frost and Christian (ably played by Mark Claney) a cast of seven each had half a dozen or more parts but such was their tireless energy and rapid change of clothing that you seldom noticed. Paul Field's music, an artful blend of the old and new, is what kept the momentum going while the choreography (like the moving dance with coloured veils over the Jennifer Knapp sung "River Of Healing" and the country hoedown in Heaven) worked well. The comedy sections were particularly effective with Mr Worldly Wiseman transformed into a gross TV game show presenter and Formalist and Hypocrisy becoming two airhead slappers. Dangerous Journey worked as entertaining theatre while carrying a considerable spiritual message. Once again the Frost and Field team have scored a hit.
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I am also quite keen to acquire the soundtrack and score for this production. It certainly looks like a good piece of material. If available, it will be used by an amateur group from our church.