At a time when London’s West End is populated with musical shows featuring the works of classic rock bands or so called ‘legendary’ musicals, one can find themselves spoilt for choice, or worse, the West End theatre experience can appear to be a very un-original expedition to embark on.
That said, if you want to see something original and truly unique, all you need to do it look in the right places, for me, this meant looking at the off- West End theatres where I came across a show called RUBIES in the ATTIC by The Ruby Dolls.
Described as a performance of Cabaret Theatre which sees the shared histories of the Ruby Dolls explored, “Intertwining Coward with Klezmer and Tango with African folk.” I knew I was in for something a little different when I booked my ticket.
What I found however was more than ‘a little different’, for I had found an extraordinary piece of musical theatre.
The show is as simple as theatre can be, four performers, known as Jen Doll, Susie Doll, T Doll and Jess Doll, one piano, a small collection of props from flat caps to a paper puppet, and the four voices of The Ruby Dolls, harmonising in a truly incredible fashion, the like of which is seldom seen in today’s world of X-Factor girl groups and Britian’s Got Talent performers who’s only musical appeal is sex.
Exploring the personal family histories of the Dolls, RUBIES in the ATTIC sees the performers travel around the world and through the decades using the minimal space that the Jermyn Street Theatre in Piccadilly provides.
As hinted in the title to this review, The Ruby Dolls show is a true musical masterpiece, with this writer, having seen RUBIES in the ATTIC, even deciding to start looking at his own family history in hope that the discoveries made might be as eye opening as the discoveries that the Dolls made when researching their own pasts while writing the show.
RUBIES in the ATTIC is being performed in a limited run at the Jermyn Street Theatre, with performances on Monday 18th April and two shows on Sunday 22nd May.
For more details about the incredible group of performers, visit www.therubydolls.com
