American musicals writer Michael John LaCiusa’s subjects are as diverse as Sondheim and Kander & Ebb, though he isn’t in their league. The four I’ve seen include adaptations of Schnitzler and Lorca, the stories of four First Ladies and a hedonistic wild party. This one is based on the true story of Anna Edson Taylor, who rode over Niagara Falls in a barrel! It’s a quirky show, but it gets a fine UK premiere at the Brockley Jack Theatre.
The story starts by visiting a series of widowed Anna’s homes across America, as she tries, and fails, to make a living as a teacher, being evicted from every one, penniless. The Niagara project is her last ditch attempt to make money. She dismisses her critics and detractors and gets her own barrel made. The first half ends tantalisingly, as she is about to plunge.
Act II takes a surprising turn. She’s succeeded in doing something no-one else has achieved, a woman in a world of failed male dare-devils, but she seems disinclined to exploit her notoriety, perhaps because of the psychological impact of her experience. She goes through a series of managers, but fame is a fickle thing and she is soon forgotten.
LaChuisa’s score is very good, seeped in early 20th century Americana, but I did wonder if a separate book writer might have produced a better narrative. I loved the orchestration for keyboards, strings, woodwind and horn and here it’s played by one of the finest ensembles, onstage in period costume, I’ve ever heard at a fringe musical, under MD Jordan Li-Smith. The vocal standards of the seven actors were outstanding too, with an exceptional performance by Trudi Camilleri in the leading role. Dom O’Hanlon’s staging makes great use of the small space, complemented by an excellent design from Tara Usher.
Whatever you think of the show, the production is excellent and it’s good to get the chance to see it here. This was my first visit to Brockley Jack, only seven miles from my home, but it won’t be my last.
Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog 
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