Bright, Bright & Bright Lawning Co. → Elliott Bright
Wednesday 15th July @ Neat Freak Bar
FIVE STARS
How many lawn puns can you fit into a single musical about lawns? Apparently, at least ten can, and were, thrown naturally into the updated development script of Bright, Bright & Bright Lawning Co. On Wednesday night, I donned my blazer (as instructed) and sat down prepared to play the role of audience member (also as instructed) at The Dress Rehearsal of this pioneering, satirical musical by Elliot Bright.
The full-house at Neat Freak Bar looked like we were all there for some kind of rogue business convention. What followed was a very entertaining evening which threw us all into a riotous rehearsal of this musical! It’s silly in the best way, oozing charm and turf appeal.
The show is set at the Bright, Bright & Bright Lawning Company, run by the lawn-loving Bright Family, who should be preparing for a big pitch to their shareholders. Elliott however, is more interested in writing the script for his musical than suiting up for the business meeting.
The concept is very much ‘a musical inside a musical,’ characters swap roles and are aware of the scripts in their hands. Elliott attempts to bring awareness to the over-scriptedness of their lives, with somewhat of a success by the conclusion. This hyper-awareness of “constructing” the musical as it progressed allowed for tongue-in-cheek humour that poked fun at musicals and creatives, and family office culture. It very much felt like an episode of The Office in comedic style, especially as the fourth wall is broken the minute you walk in the door!
A handful of brave audience members played various roles with Elliott throughout which just added to the hilarity and playfulness of the evening. One standout scene was a phone call from a customer unhappy about their lawn performed by two audience members with Elliott, which poked genius fun at corporate conflict resolution. These improvised moments with the audience were a highlight, Elliott strong in his effortless comedic timing with whatever the audience threw his way.
For a development showing the original music was highly impressive! Elliott boasted five original songs for the work, each with clever lyricism and layering of instruments. The Bright family doubles as the band on strings, sax, melodica (!!) drums and bass, so quite the talented family! Featured on the soundtrack are very well-crafted songs such as “Table Read” and “This Would Be the Life.”
Throughout the work, Elliot searches for meaning and also the point of his show. We get somewhere by the end along the lines of, Be Your Self, and find yourself a family that will feed you grass when you need it. Bright, Bright & Bright Lawning Co is a freshly cut musical comedy that brings you into the reality of a rehearsal room with delightfully unhinged thespians.
Five stars because everyone left smiling, who knew singing about lawns and life could be this fun!
~ By Sophie Tsoulos
FINAL SHOW: Saturday 18th July
Theatre: Neat Freak Bar (Howling Owl)
Photography: Alex Robertson