This boisterous jukebox musical celebrates the songs of Madness. Michael Burgen’s revival boasts a cast of 17 and plenty of in-yer-face attitude, but it misses the band’s nutty charm.
Early on, Camden teenager Joe breaks into an empty property, planning to show his girlfriend Sarah the impressive view. When the police arrive, he has to choose between running away or turning himself in. Tim Firth’s book pictures the consequences of both actions, calling to mind Sliding Doors. In one version Joe struggles, in the other he’s a hard-nosed success. The story becomes a rather laboured morality tale, and Joe is an unsympathetic character — despite the best efforts of Steven France. The exuberant ensemble revels in William Whelton’s choreography, which has real fizz even if at times it seems too expansive for this compact space.
But the show’s 22 numbers sorely lack variety. Songs originally written to suit the deadpan vocal style of Madness frontman Suggs don’t give the performers a broad enough range of material. Though the second half includes tender moments involving Joe, Sarah (Ailsa Davidson) and his father (Dominic Brewer), much of Our House is exhaustingly raucous.
Until Sept 12 (020 7261 9876, uniontheatre.biz)
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