What's On In London
Review by Helen Chappell

Wednesday 10th November 2004
Theatre Review | WE COULD BE HEROES | Bridewell Theatre
 

Successful singers want to act, actors dream of being pop singers.  Actor Richard Lumsden fits the second bill

- he's a familiar face from TV series All About Me and Is It Legal.  In this one-man show, Lumsden reveals his

musical side, while painting a life portrait of a wannabe pop star who never quite makes it.  We're in Adrian Mole

territory here, Lumsden dramatising extracts from his alter-ego's diary, following his (lack of) progress from

schoolboy to domesticated middle-age.

This dual reality is echoed by Gary Campbell's set - the audience sit in a mock-up of a music festival site.

On stage, our hero's bedroom is recreated - childhood posters morphing into leopard print sheets (bachelor flat)

and returning to space rockets for the later scene with his own son.  Lumsden's adventures begin as an over-obedient

schoolboy, swotting for his exams, but also sending his own songs to his hero, David Bowie.  We hear of his early

romantic fumblings; playing forlorn music at the weddings of his friends; a dispiriting affair with a married woman.

Through it all Lumsden is likeable if vaguely self-pitying.  His piss-take of pizza parlour jazz is amusing.  He's

got musical ability and some of his lyrics are poignant.  But the plot develops with painful slowness; the pop-star

theme is sketchy and undeveloped; and none of his songs really stick in the memory.  We've been here before,

and Lumsden doesn't add very much to this much-visited scenario.  A sharper focus is required all round.

 
Helen Chappell, What's On In London© 2004

• We Could Be Heroes at the Bridewell Theatre runs until 20 November 2004.

Bridewell Theatre, Bride Lane, London EC4Y 8EQ ~ Box Office: 020 7936 3456
Bridewell Theatre
Big Nose Productions
www.wecouldbeheroes.co.uk