Now Is Good , Tim Firth’s first new musical since The Band in 2017 was first conceived in 2019, and has had a delayed journey to the stage. Inspired partly by singing sessions for schoolchildren that Firth presents with his wife, but mostly by the memory of his own late father, it is a show about love and loss, friendship and family, getting old while staying young at heart and, most of all, about human contact and bringing generations together.
It was always going to be steeped in sadness, love and hope, but the 2 year hiatus in production only serves to make it all the more relevant. More than ever we know the importance of unplugging the internet to make real connections with people. We understand more deeply the value of loved ones, the power of friendship and the fleeting preciousness of the innocence of childhood.
Firth’s dad was a scavenger of the local tip, determined to waste nothing and repurpose everything, and in this image the central character of retired builder Ray is made. We meet him as he drops in (literally) at a defunct High Street bank that he is remodelling into a home. He works under the watchful eye of his health and safety officer son, Neil.
As the play meanders through their shared memories under Joyce Branagh’s gentle direction, other characters arrive. There is an elderly trio of the scooter-bound Ivy, ex union rep Alice and the forgetful Ted. All of them have lost something in their lives, and together with the help of a young schoolteacher Katy and her class, they set about restoring their sense of togetherness and joy.
This is a play with songs, performed by actors who sing rather than acting singers, so it has a naïve quality about its music. Firth wanted to recollect the continental jazz sound of Stephane Grapelli that his dad was so fond of, and the relaxed skiffle-tinged orchestrations by music director and arranger George Francis reflect this.
Sara Perks’ set rises on two levels, to show the grand banking hall marred by ‘60s modifications. The set has more than a few surprises concealed within it, and after one particularly deft stage illusion in the middle of Act II it still has a big reveal for the heart-warming denouement.
Jeff Rawle and Chris Hannon have real chemistry as father and son, whilst Elizabeth Counsell and Maxwell Hutcheon bring gentle warmth with their Alice and Ted. Michele Dotrice is a frequent scene stealer as the cantankerous Ivy, whose steely character melts like butter as she is swept along by the enthusiasm. The cast is completed by Alyce Liburd, a ray of sunshine as the schoolteacher, with her band of children played by alternating groups from Storyhouse Youth Theatre.
Despite some showstopping moments there are no really big numbers in the show’s score, but it does have a decided earworm-ish quality, and it is highly likely that you’ll find yourself humming “Dooby doo doo, dooby dooby doo” on the way home.
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| The cast of Now Is Good |
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| Elizabeth Counsell and Jeffrey Rawle |
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| Michele Dotrice |
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| Chris Hannon and Jeffrey Rawle |
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