“The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd,” first produced in 1964, is making its Seacoast debut. Surprising this allegorical, surreal piece has only just made it to town, but its timing is unnervingly relevant.

It’s important to note that Seacoast Rep is offering this both as live and live-stream viewing.

Written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, “Roar of the Greasepaint” was originally penned to take a jab at the British societal classes of its time. The musical’s absurd take keeps the piece unbound to a particular culture or time; its content keeps it pertinent – in disturbing ways.

It takes place in an alternate world of gaming, where game is life, and humans are the moving pieces.

The downtrodden Cocky is lorded over by the manipulative, pompous Sir, essentially his and this game’s master. The two travel about playing the board with rules that Sir changes endlessly, mid-move, always in his favor.

To read the entire review, please click this link.