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Theatre Review: ‘Ragtime’ at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Claudia Kariuki stuns the audience with her singing voice in her professional debut. (Johan Persson)
Ragtime is a lively musical based on the 1975 novel by E L Doctorow, set in New York in the early part of the last century. Huge social and economic changes are taking place, and class and racial tensions are simmering.
This is a play that is trying very hard to present to us “America on a plate”. Although it’s set in around 1910/1920, time and costume styles are fluid.
The unusual set has a huge poster of Obama with “Dare to Dream” on it. Near the end, a Hijab-wearing woman can be seen hovering at the back of the stage, as if she’s waiting to come onto the scene. All there, no doubt, to remind us, not-so-subtly, of how pertinent this play is today.
In fact, these things are a little distracting. Drama from any era can resonate with an audience without these kinds of gimmicks, as long as the characters are empathetic and the motivations clear.
In Ragtime, a collection of disparate characters form a rather complex and unwieldy plot. Coalhouse Walker (Rolan Bell) is the cool black Rag player who has a sweetheart named Sarah, the servant in a rich, white household. Inexplicably, although they are both main characters, the white couple don’t have names but are called “Mother” and “Father”. Coalhouse is a cad and he does Sarah wrong.
Some of the nicest songs in Ragtime are the ones about old-fashioned heartbreak. Coalhouse finds that the black Rag music was more easily accepted by mainstream America than the people were.
Tateh is a very intriguing Jewish character, who arrives in America destitute with his young daughter and is forced to live on his wits or starve. He’s played with real verve by John Marquez – who is almost unrecognisable as the same person who played the harebrained policeman from Doc Martin.
The personal, fictional stories are set against a fascinating political backdrop and an array of real people; the pre-civil rights movement car maker Henry Ford’s ideas are coming to the fore and banker J P Morgan is becoming ever more powerful.
Interestingly, there is also a Trade Union uprising. There seems to be so much mileage in this plot line; it’s really disappointing that it’s never properly explored. If anything could have made this play feel really 2012, civil disobedience and anger towards rich bankers and industrialists might have been it. Having said that, Ragtime has an admirable scope; it feels like an overview of America, warts and all.
Any shortfall in the plot is made up for by the brilliant cast. A special mention must go to Claudia Kariuki, who plays Sarah – this is her professional debut. She has the kind of melodious singing voice that you feel you could listen to for hours and hours. Another mention must go to Ewan Harris, who plays the little boy. He is truly impressive, and a talent to watch out for.
The whole Ragtime experience at Regent’s Park can’t be separated from the pretty open air location. In nice weather, on a summer’s evening, with the sound of birdsong in the background, it is absolutely idyllic.
The theatre is at the heart of Regent’s Park, surrounded by pretty trees and flower gardens. There are also some beautiful picnicking spots nearby, so if you are lucky enough to go and see this entertaining play when the weather’s good, go early and take a blanket and picnic.
Alternatively, check out the theatre Dining Club, which has many interesting al fresco and undercover options, including a BBQ or picnic cooked up by the head chef, though you must book in advance.
Ragtime is on until September 8th.
Mastoor Khan is a writer living in London.
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