Book & Lyrics: Dax Wiley
Music: Kit Nolan
Director: Yuval Benit
Reviewer: Christine Stanton
“Charming Country Musical“
4 / 5
When Teddy moved over to Nashville in the hope of becoming a country music star, and Zelda stayed behind in New York to try and make it as a journalist, their breakup was solidified. The pair were both heartbroken, and always left wondering ‘what if’, but now he’s back in town for the weekend, so what better way to get closure than to hash it out over a few whiskey shots?
Part country gig, part theatre show – Oil & Whiskey is packed with energy, making it impossible not to tap along to the catchy score. The storyline focuses on the two exes and their reunion, but it’s a pretty scarce narrative, used mainly to prop up the enjoyable, well-performed songs. Zelda (Juliet Perel) is unsure of her future, her struggling journalism career feeling further away than ever, working at the local bar under her apartment to make ends meet. Teddy (Cornelius Versa) hasn’t had much luck with his music career either, despite living in country music mecca.
As the night progresses, old feelings start to re-emerge, tempting them to potentially try again, which initially seems like a great idea in their booze addled brains. As the night progresses however, old arguments start to resurface, and frustrations they once held about each other break through their drunken maybes, reminding them both that their breakup was probably for the best after all.
In the enjoyable format – captivating, hilariously entertaining narrators Ray (KJ Nugin) and Bree (Sarah Giulianti) walk the audience through each interaction, chiming in with their exclamations of disgust or shock that Zelda is considering giving Teddy another chance. Perel and Versa have great chemistry, and really bring the relationship alive. Dax Wiley’s book has done too good a job at making them seem like the ones that got away, because it’s hard not to root for a reconciliation with the couple. When the latter reveals of bad behaviour or unresolved tension start coming to light, they almost feel unbelievable, because it’s hard to relate them to the on stage couple. Maybe the audience also have whiskey goggles after the (slightly too frequent) requests of the audience to join in hollerin’ and swallarin’!
Kit Nolan has crafted a whole set of brilliantly catchy, charming, country and bluegrass songs, that help to sketch out the story between the two ex-lovers. With two backing singers, a live band of four, and the four performers it’s a packed house at the Old Red Lion, but their energy and style is so big and so infectiously enjoyable, that it’s easy to imagine you’re centre stage at the Grand Ole Oprey. Each of the cast are fabulously talented singers – Nugin’s impressive vocals matching their vivacious, vibrant energy, Giulianti hitting some impressive chords, Perel and Versa serenading the audience with their emotionally, passionate performances.
Don’t text your ex is the ongoing advice from the production – but if it means an evening as entertaining as Oil & Whiskey, then maybe it’s worth it after all!
Runs until 19th September then continues to tour.
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