Dave Malloy’s musical makes a dazzling UK premiere in this sexy, passionate production directed by Tim Sheader.
To decide to take a section of Leo Tolstoy’s War & Peace and to transform it into a musical in a way that makes sense to the audience is a brave and bold choice by Dave Malloy – it is also inspired.
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 focuses on Natasha’s arrival in Moscow’s High Society while awaiting the return of her fiancee Andrey. But her head is turned by the charismatic aristocrat Anatole (who of course is a bit of a scoundrel to say the least), leading to consequences that ruins her reputation – only to be helped by unlikely hero Pierre.
Through his music, book and lyrics, Dave Malloy beautifully brings to life this particular section of this tragic story with depth and feeling that keeps the audience thoroughly engaged and enthralled from start to finish. The music and lyrics pack a punch from start to finish, highlighting the way in which the story explores the human condition so beautifully. Opening number ‘Prologue’ is brilliantly lively and useful in setting the scene and ensuring that the audience gets to understand the characters without getting lost, it is a sequence that is further enhanced by the playfulness of Ellen Kane’s choreography.
Other highlights musically is the wonderfully haunting ‘The Great Comet of 1812’ filled with delicate tones, while ‘Letters’ combines classical music with hints of rock that combined with the lyrics makes the audience sit up and pay attention. There is so much going on, it is a score that you can listen to constantly and still discover something new – it is wonderfully complex and rich in variety.
Tim Sheader’s bold and sexy production is filled with plenty of memorable moments but never forgets to anchor the story without getting too over the top. In every scene, every character gets their moment to shine and it is mesmerising to watch as the drama unfolds. Thanks to Leslie Travers’ cool industrial stylised set design and Howard Hudson’s stunningly inventive lighting design, this is a constantly visually thrilling production.
But of course there is plenty to be enjoyed elsewhere, thanks to Evie Gurney’s striking costume designs (just take a look at Anatole’s outfits for example) that highlight its period setting but with a strong contemporary twist that adds to the production’s boldness. In addition Ellen Kane’s choreography is consistently inventive and appealing to witness.
All of the cast also deliver knockout performances. Chumisa Dornford- May as Natasha captures the character’s naivety that turns to inner steel with thoughtfulness and insight that you can’t blame her character for having her head turned by Anatole. Jamie Muscato as that character in question is by turns charming and brooding, delivering a powerhouse performance that makes it difficult to keep your eyes off him.
Declan Bennett as Pierre offers great sensitivity to the character – the rawness in his vocals during his number are heart-wrenching and filled with emotion that it is difficult not to sit up and pay attention. But the entire cast deliver fantastic performances that are filled with drama and passion – if we could get a cast recording that would be wonderful!
Overall, this is a musical that is refreshingly unique and enjoyable to watch unfold from beginning to end. Thrilling, sexy and entertaining this is the Donmar Warehouse finishing the year on a massive high – congratulations to everyone involved!
By Emma Clarendon
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 continues to play at the Donmar Warehouse until the 8th February 2025.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐