Of all the performing artists, actors often seem to suffer from the greatest kind of inferiority complex. Perpetually eager to show us that it’s some kind of highly specialised skill rather than just good looks, the compulsion has been lengthily mocked in modern pop culture. Think Team America (‘Act, Gary, damnit, act!’), and you’re almost there: it’s getting a hilarious new slashing in Oxford’s own Rhys Jones’ and Rob Hemmens’ musical The Academy.
We follow the story of Amy (Rebecca Tay), a starry-eyed innocent who joins the rigorous training regime at the austere Academy of the Science of Acting and Directing (ASAD). A promising student, she seems set for stardom, but soon discovers that the school’s scientific methods may not be as clandestine as they first seemed, with the Headmistress’ overseeing strange goings-on in the off-limits ‘graduate area.’ Apparently, ASAD really exists somewhere in London and the idea for the musical was born when Jones and Hemmens first came across the school’s ominously sounding name in some promotional material.
The drama and music continuously verge on the farcical: there’s an all-singing all-dancing lesson on dying a convincing stage death (which scientifically distinguishes between the dramatic, self-sacrificial, romantic and screamy death), and a cheesy romance between Amy and head boy Will (Robin Thompson). The deal is clinched (or perhaps killed?) by the ‘hey-hey-heying’ chorus and nonsensical romance lines of the ‘tell me a story and make it come true’ type.
But most of the humour draws on the antagonist, the quick-tempered ASAD Headmistress (the vocally capable Emma Lewis), whose increasingly oddball plan for world domination Amy has to stop. Her belting tango hymn to the virtues of the scientific approach to theatre (‘Guided by your heart you won’t get far / follow me and you will be a star’) is a great evil genius anthem. It will be interesting to see how her plan is carried out when the production is staged in 6th week.
At the time of writing, the production was in early rehearsal stages, and looked like it was still finding its rhythm. The acting needs some brushing up, but if The Academy comes off, it could do to drama schools what The Producers did to show business… so watch out for it.
Four stars
