Girl from the North Country
Review by Sam
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Following its critically acclaimed premiere in 2017, Girl from the North Country returns to The Old Vic for a limited summer season.
Taking place at a local guesthouse in 1930's Duluth, community struggles are explored as they battle the hardships of the Great Depression. When a group of mysterious wayward travellers take shelter in the town, the local’s band together through music and hope, as they collectively experience love, loss, life and everything in between. Featuring a company of 23 actor-musicians, award-winning playwright Conor McPherson weaves the songbook of Bob Dylan into the narrative, ensuring that the singer-songwriters music is thematically always matched to the book. Whilst this is done successfully, it ultimately is the crux of where the show falls short and sadly begins to unravel.
As a stand-alone book the material is interesting, thought-provoking and engaging, with the performances and narrative exploring key themes and historical impacts. However, audiences are never given the opportunity to dive into these further due to the addition of Dylan's music pausing the momentum of the story for prolonged periods. Whilst songs are performed exquisitely, they never advance the narrative in any significant way, leading me to feel that as a stand-alone play without music the show may have proven to be stronger.
Where the musical lacks in its strong material it more than makes up for with production elements, with the 23 strong cast delivering powerful ensemble lead performances. The music is richly performed and beautifully layered with Simon Hale's orchestrations, arrangements and music supervision shining bright. This is elevated by Simon Baker's sound design, giving audiences an intimate yet grand feel to Dylan's music.
Despite its critical acclaim, Girl from the North Country sadly fails to fully achieve what it sets out to do, due to the inclusion of Bob Dylan's music never fully advancing Conor McPherson script. Whilst on paper these should be a match made in heaven; the slow momentum of the book sadly left me 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door'.