Setting a musical in a bathroom is quirky but actually turns out to be sensible in this new musical from Liesl Wilke and Andy Marsh. The location provides a mix of women’s lives to explore – different ages and stages – with strong themes of motherhood and mortality. The talented cast are enjoyable and, although the results are mixed, Stalled is worth seeing.
It is a shame that the inclusive strength of the idea becomes a weakness – this is a crowded powder room with too many characters for its 90-minute run. Maybe giving us glimpses, outlines, might have been better than trying to develop stories? True, the extensive ground covered – from teenage pregnancies to the problems of parenting and coming out as gay – means there’s something for everyone. But there’s also such a quantity of trauma, big and small, that the piece comes close to being a tough watch. And with so many issues of various import, some characters come dangerously close to just moaning.
It’s not that any of these stories is bad; more that putting them together is a lot. The cast provides highlights. Regina Co does a good job with her lesbian character, aided by her hipster crush played by Isabella Gervais. Grace Venus adds charm as a troubled pre-teen, while her struggling mother is played by Josie Benson, whose fantastic voice makes her numbers soar. The songs from March (with additional work from Kyle Puccia) are competent, middle-of-the road affairs. An effort is made to introduce variety, but I fear there isn’t anything memorable enough here (I admit my personal taste might cloud my judgement). The lyrics are better (some spoken word performed by Evita Khrime is a bold effort) but hampered by too much self-help therapy speak.
Director Vikki Stone complicates the show unnecessarily. There are moments of whimsy in the staging, choreography and lighting that seem ill-judged. There is little humour in Stalled and any efforts at jokes are poor. Why not just go with being serious? The show’s best moments are its rawest… which is where its central character comes in.
Maggie is the bathroom’s cleaner with a back story. Fans of musicals will probably guess what’s going on quickly. The character seems normal next to her customers, friendly and helpful, but is clearly haunted by something. It makes an excellent role for Lauren Ward, who is so good that she holds the show together… almost. That this ends up too much to ask is down to Wilke’s book rather than Ward’s performance, which is tear-filled for much of the time and has a startling sincerity. But you can see the problem coming a long way off. With so many stories, any resolution is going to be tricky. And with that streak of therapy speak, a lot of the last half hour ends up pat. The conclusion is full of fake smiles but if you don’t mind sentimentality that won’t bother you. I can see Stalled having fans and I sincerely hope it finds them.
Until 23 March 2025
Photo by Johan Persson