There was something rather strange about returning to the Montgomery Theatre last night, having spent much of the previous week performing on that very stage as part of the cast of Come From Away. It felt like I’d barely left, and to make the experience even more surreal, one of my fellow cast members was there to sell me a programme on the way in!
As we packed up late on Saturday night, the cast of Dear Evan Hansen were preparing to move in for their Sunday get-in. One show handing over the baton to another, and a reminder of just how vibrant Sheffield’s amateur theatre scene really is.
And what a fantastic facility we have in the Montgomery. Now under the stewardship of Sheffield Theatres, the 375-seat venue has been given a new lease of life, and it’s wonderful to see it looking so good and packed to the rafters again.
And what a show to fill it.
Dear Evan Hansen follows a socially anxious teenager who becomes caught up in an increasingly elaborate lie following the suicide of a fellow student. What begins as an awkward misunderstanding spirals into something much bigger, exploring grief, loneliness, belonging and our desperate need for connection.
It’s complicated, uncomfortable territory, and the entire production rests on the shoulders of its leading man. In the wrong hands, Evan could easily become an unlikeable, even manipulative character rather than someone we find ourselves rooting for.
Fortunately, Josh Fishburn is quite extraordinary.
I saw the professional touring production in Sheffield last year and was blown away by its lead. Fishburn’s performance here was barely a whisker behind. His nervous mannerisms, impeccable characterisation and astonishing vocal range made for a thoroughly convincing Evan. Barely off stage, with a succession of hugely demanding musical numbers, he delivered a performance of remarkable maturity and emotional depth.
He’s worth the ticket price alone.
But this is far from a one-man show. Georgina Hartley-Willows was superb as Evan’s mum, Heidi, delivering a genuinely moving rendition of So Big/So Small. Madison Bland beautifully captured Zoe Murphy’s conflicting emotions, balancing resentment towards her troubled brother with her growing affection for Evan.
Joe Williams brought some welcome comic relief as Jared, while Ruby Harker impressed as Alana, performing with a confidence and assurance beyond her years. Charlie Hopper also deserves praise for his portrayal of Connor, skilfully finding moments of humour within an otherwise deeply troubled character.
The production also deserves enormous credit for its technical presentation. The set is deliberately stark, placing even greater emphasis on the lighting to create atmosphere and guide the audience through the story’s emotional shifts. It’s beautifully executed, with a level of sophistication and polish that wouldn’t look out of place in a professional production.
Dear Evan Hansen won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Its subject matter is challenging, its characters are flawed and its moral dilemmas aren’t easily resolved.
But the songs are sensational, the story packs an emotional punch and, with a leading performance this strong, Splinters Theatre Group has delivered something rather special.
If you want a reminder of just how good Sheffield’s amateur theatre scene can be, look no further.
Dear Evan Hansen runs at The Montgomery Theatre until 24 October. Tickets available here.
