Find out what is being said about Ofra Daniel’s play, running at the Finsbury Park based theatre until the 15th June.
Broadway World: *** “A Song of Songs teases out the elements of obsession and lust within the original text, but the central love story doesn’t quite convince despite Woodyatt’s strong work as a husband who doesn’t recognise or understand the woman who shares his life, and Valdes’s ethereal interpretation of the mysterious scribe.”
Jewish News: “The music is central to the play and wonderful. Created by the multiple award-winning team of Ofra Daniel, who wrote the book, music and lyrics, co-composer Lior Ben-Hur, in collaboration with Ali Paris and Yuval Ron, it draws on influences both ancient and modern.”
The Stage: *** “Irresistible score and an impassioned performance bring this reworking of an erotic poem from the Hebrew Bible to life.”
The Reviews Hub: ** The inspiration for A Song of Songs is poetry and while Daniel’s lead aches, yearns and writhes for her lover, the sentiment, intensity and the simplicity of communicating via the language of verse is entirely lost in this current iteration. Giving Tirzah agency to tell her own story and to celebrate the charged nature of her physical experience is absolutely right but focusing more on the beauty of the exchange between the lovers would give this piece a tighter shape and the emotional gravity it seeks.”
Theatre Weekly: *** “Joaquin Pedro Valdes plays The Lover and demonstrates monumental talent with impressive vocals. These are not easy songs to sing but Valdes more than rises to the challenge. As do the ensemble, who provide depth to the piece.”
London Theatre 1: ** “An earnest effort from the cast, whose stage space is made limited by presence of the on-stage band, but there were too many elements and plot points that didn’t quite add up.”
Musical Theatre Review: **** “A Song of Songs may not be for everyone, but it brilliantly uses the medium of musical theatre to present a thesis and explore it with undeniable passion and intensity. It is intelligently written, sensitively directed and fiercely performed – a triumph of adventurous collaboration, exhilarating world music, and a radical rereading of the Biblical canon.”
The Spy in the Stalls: **** “The musicality is undoubtedly the star of the show. Whether or not the songs enhance the narrative is irrelevant. The songs are pools of splendour we would happily bathe in for hours.”
Jonathan Baz Reviews: ** “With sound intentions no doubt, A Song of Songs could have been a fascinating spin on a very, very old classic. In this iteration however, Daniel disappoints.”
Fairy Powered Productions: *** “Ofra Daniel is a force of nature in her performance. Her movement as the older, insane, Tirzah eternally waiting for her lover are weird and wonderful, and her portrayal of the girl’s sexual self-discovery is physically astonishing. The dynamism and excitement of the dancing is sadly not as consistent in the book, with the laudable and understandable attempt to use poetic language making some sections of narrative drag a little after such memorable music. The big reveal at the end is not much of a surprise thanks to Matthew Woodyatt’s stellar and moving portrayal of Tirzah’s underwritten husband, but the excitement and vibrancy of the production is undeniable.”
British Theatre Guide: “While the outline of the story is clear, the detail is frequently lost with songs in Hebrew untranslated and even English ones not always clear against the rich overall sound. It is a good band, dominated by Ramón Ruiz’s guitar and Ant Romero’s percussion and led by Daniel Gouly on clarinet, but the score seems to fuse styles rather than celebrating flamenco or klezmer sounds, and Billy Mitchell’s choreography is a similar mixture, from Andalusian skirt swishing to belly dance, though I couldn’t work out what was going on when the dancers all jerked their heads like hens or pigeons, though it provided a much needed moment of humour.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “The story could also probably be comfortably told in 90 minutes without an interval. However, if one leaves the theatre wanting to dance, a musical has done its job, and the physicality of this show certainly hits the mark.”
A Song of Songs continues to play at the Park Theatre until the 15th June.