Rent @ theSpaces at Venue45

Jonathan Larson’s story of artists struggling to make a living and forge meaningful relationships in downtown New York against the backdrop of the aids epidemic is perhaps the musical that resonates most in our generation.

For that reason a lot of young companies are attracted to it, but it’s an extremely challenging work and takes maturity and experience to accomplish convincingly. As the familiar piano chords of Seasons of Love ring out the mood is sentimental, but as the production breaks out into the rebellious titular song, Rent, some gaps begin to show through. Many of the voices here aren’t yet developed enough to carry off such challenging work and perhaps the cast of Click, a community theatre group from Herefordshire, need another four or five shows behind them before bringing something so ambitious to The Fringe.

Having said that, there are excellently executed passages: particularly the abstract performance protest piece which Maureen (Lola Louisa Davidson) delivers. Her acting stands out and the integration of clever sexual innuendo into the direction was superb. The song La Vie Boheme was another great success of both cast and director.

The principal role of Mark Cohen was taken on by chorus member Ruaridh MacPhee on three week’s notice after another cast member dropped out - he certainly looks the part. David Sanderson exudes style as transvestite Angel and Katerina Page, while not always street-hardened enough for dispossessed heroine-addict Mimi, can play it sassy… and ultimately does so, stealing the show with her wild and virtuosic dancing to Out Tonight.