Review: Rent, York Theatre Royal
![The cast of Rent.](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_89592652.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![The cast of Rent.](/img/placeholder.png)
Twenty years later Rent, laden with theatrical awards and the Pulitzer Prize, remains as powerful as ever with its story of impoverished young artists struggling to survive in mid-1990s New York City’s East Village with the threat of HIV/AIDS ever present.
The story of doomed lovers is loosely based on the opera La Boheme, but don’t let that put you off visiting what’s a loud and proud rock opera blessed in this first rate production by a superb cast who really can sing.
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Hide AdOne of the leading cast members Lucie Jones - the X Factor finalist who’ll represent the UK in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest - was absent through illness for Tuesday’s opening night in York but more than ably replaced by understudy Christina Modestou in what’s essentially an ensemble piece.
There’s not a weak link among them although it would be wrong not to make special mention of Layton Williams, a former stage Billy Elliot, who proves a standout scene-stealer as drag artist Angel in
Lee Proud’s dynamic choreography.
Until Saturday. 01904 623568, yorktheatreroyal.co.uk