Review: Girl from the North Country, UK Tour, at the Lowry, Salford

This week, The Lowry is holding host to a piece that has been doing the rounds all over the world since 2017 - and I haven't had the chance to see until now. Oh well, much better late than never as they say. 

Girl from the North Country is written by Irish playwright Connor McPherson, set in Duluth, Minnesota in the Winter of 1934, featuring the music of Bob Dylan. 

Over the course of a few days, we get to see the lives of the Laine family, who run a run-down guesthouse, as well as their lodgers at the time, as they try and survive day to day during the Great Depression. 

It's become a piece well-loved by critics, and has popped up again and again since it's original run at the Old Vic. That run won it 2 Olivier awards in 2018 (impressive as it was the year dominated by Hamilton), and it also won a Tony this year, for Simon Hale's orchestrations. And I'm not surprised by that Tony win, because they're stunning!  

In fact, the music itself I feel is the strongest element of this piece. 

I wouldn't say I am a fan as such of Bob Dylan, but it's more a case of I appreciate his writing more than anything else. Now it's clear to me McPherson looked at every song option, and analysed Dylan's lyrics to really find the best fit for each moment. Only one feels weirdly placed and that's only when thinking on it deeply. 

Bar the one exception, when the songs come in, they allow the characters to truly shed their mask to us, or allow us to take in the atmosphere. We don't have to be told what's going on explicitly. It's almost cinematic in a way - scene plays out with no dialogue, while the soundtrack plays in the background. 

Interesting concept for a musical but OH does it work! 

This is definitely a case of "it's more a play with music" rather than the standard musical, and how "frothy/frivolous" they can have a reputation of being. 

Though technically a jukebox musical, this is a far cry from something like Mamma Mia or & Juliet.

This is a drama first and musical second. 

This is the case with the cast as well. These are actors who can sing more than anything else - and in some cases play musical instruments as well. 

As an ensemble piece, everyone gets their moment to shine. Everyone in this company gets an opportunity to showcase themselves. 

The one moment that blew me away is Frances McNamee playing Elizabeth Laine; the matriarch of the Laine family who run the guest house, but who is also suffering from early on-set dementia. 

On stop of putting in an amazing performance end of, her vocal during Like A Rolling Stone was the one time I felt the Lyric space was filled (nothing against the performers, but I think this works best in a slightly smaller space). 

In fact, McNamee's growl and tone was similar to Florence Welch's. Even the way she moved wasn't far off how Welch moved (I have seen Florence & the Machine live twice, so would know). Plus Elizabeth had a lot of the best lines, so that helps too. 

I'm in an interesting position, as I think that it is best to go into seeing Girl from the North Country as blind as possible. Though I would definitely give the cast album a listen if you're curious for a taste, as it gives nothing away (phew!). 

Other than that, if ANY of what I have said peaks your interest, then look into trying this out. 

Girl from the North Country is its own thing. I don't think I can compare it to any other musical out there. 

I would recommend it instead to those who enjoy the great American playwrights: those like Arthur Miller, August Wilson, Tennessee Williams. 

It's running at the Lowry until the 24th September before carrying on with its UK tour. 

Oh and I may need to look into Bob Dylan music. The song list in the programme even put in which album they're from - will certainly make investigating easier!