"Please bring something to eat or drink during the concert - you can even bring beer! Haven't prepared anything? It’s okay – delivering food during the show is also allowed!” says the assistant director before the performance begins. Actions that are not allowed in other performances are all permitted here because London Record is a free-spirited musical that values the audience’s enjoyment within a comfortable atmosphere. According to the production company M Stage, the musical was created to give people the courage to dream and take on challenges once again, especially those who have been discouraged by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The three main characters John, Scarlett, and Sally convey their message of hope by singing and dancing throughout the performance, delighting audiences of all ages. 

The musical is set at John’s shabby, old record shop on the outskirts of London. Though John tries to start his day cheerfully, not a single customer visits his shop; instead, dreary music flows out of the record shop, with only dust piling up on the old records. Soon, Sally, who has returned from traveling around the world enters the record shop, with her bag full of strange items – a kettle, a tea bag from Rwanda, a wig, and more – all of which are crucial to the story that unfolds. Scarlett soon enters the record shop as well, feeling downcast after failing her audition. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Sally find out that John was the leader of Hot Play, a legendary band that touched the hearts of people worldwide yet suddenly disappeared. The three people, who seem to have nothing in common, start getting to know each other better through music and by comforting each other’s wounds. 

Connecting With the Performers

Despite the limited space on stage, the characters tell their story well, continuously interacting with the audience and even calling them up to the stage. This play does not use many props, showcase flashy choreography, or feature multiple characters. Nevertheless, the actors immerse the audience in the play for over an hour and a half with unique characters and heartfelt songs. In particular, the lyrics of Scarlett’s songs encourage the audience members not to give up on their dreams, as she candidly confesses the hardships she went through, including her father’s death.

One of the interesting parts of this performance is that one actor plays multiple roles. The actor who initially plays Sally appears later as the house owner demanding rent for the record shop. Later, she even plays Jack, a bassist who performs a show with Scarlett and John. Despite switching between multiple roles, the actor does not forget to throw in some jokes to make the audience laugh. 

Since London Record seeks to generate a free-spirited atmosphere, the role of the audience is very important.  When the audience finds out that one actor performs multiple roles, they experience a sense of closeness to the characters, thereby reacting more actively to the actors’ dialogue. Another interesting aspect of this performance is that audience members can buy light sticks before and during the show to use when the performers sing to create a romantic atmosphere during the performance.

Blowing Away Some Stress

The highlight of London Record appears in the last 20 minutes. “Are you ready to blow off your stress?” yells Jack, and a mini-concert called “Open Your Vocal Cords” begins. The audience is asked to get up from their seats, come up to the stage, and jump and dance with the performers. The three performers share their passion, running between the audience and the stage. The performers seem determined to relieve the audience’s stress with their bright smiles. They dance and sing with great energy, boosting the audience’s excitement, and the colorful lighting also plays a crucial part in establishing the enjoyable atmosphere. Excited children, their parents, middle-aged married couples, and students all seem to genuinely enjoy this mini-concert. 

The actors also teach the audience three movements that they can easily follow. Then the final song begins, and the actors come down from the stage to hug the audience one by one, saying “Be Happy!” along with the lyrics of the song. After the performance ends, the audience leaving the venue may find themselves with a smile on their face without even realizing it.

The mini-concert that closes out the performance shows that London Record is more than just a musical performance, but an opportunity for the audience to forget their troubles, have fun, and connect with the actors. Through the powerful performances of the three main characters, the performance provides an interactive experience while delivering a message of hope and resilience. Eventually, the performance leaves the audience members feeling uplifted and inspired, reminding them that it is never too late to pursue their dreams and that the support of others can be a crucial source of strength in difficult times. 

Performance Information

Venue: M Stage

Date: January 14 to June 30, 2023

Runing Time: About 90 Minutes

Ticket Price: 17,500 KRW