Review: AFTER THIS PLANE HAS LANDED, Dark Horse Moseley

Photo credit: Andrew Smith

Previewing at The Dark Horse, Moseley, brand new musical dramedy After This Plane Has Landed tells the real-life experiences of Jill Morrell and John McCarthy. It’s 1986 and John, a British journalist, is in Beirut covering the civil war in Lebanon, when he is instructed by his editors to go home. On the way to the airport, John is kidnapped and spends five years as a hostage. His girlfriend Jill raises awareness back at home and campaigns for his release.

What happens after John is released? How exactly are the couple supposed to put their lives back together after two very different life experiences? Will things ever return to the way they were between them?

Written by Adrian Kimberlin and directed by Alan Magor, we were a bit sceptical that such a serious story would work as a piece of musical theatre…. but it really, really does!

The concept is interesting, with the musical numbers entwined with dialogue moving the story along at a nice pace. The songs have some memorable music and the lyrics are arranged beautifully with seamless harmonies, capturing the hope in some scenes and the struggle in others.

Benedict Powell and Claire Russell play John and Jill, and not only is the casting picture-perfect in the fact that both actors resemble their real-life characters remarkably well, but their delivery is spot on. We believe them unquestionably. We’re caught up in their story and we desperately want there to be a happy ending, despite the difficulties they experience and the impossible situations they find themselves in.

After This Plane Has Landed has an audience appeal for regular theatregoers and for anyone who wants an evening out that’s a bit different, it’s definitely one to look out for if you’re heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year.

Compellingly dramatic with a touch of musical courage.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

After This Plane Has Landed plays at The Dark Horse, Moseley until 18 June and then at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 4-26 August.