Rent review: Stranger Things star leads electric 30th anniversary revival

Jonathan Larson's posthumous masterpiece Rent returned to London this autumn for its 30th anniversary with Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo at the helm.

Before even seeing this show, audiences will know it comes with its own unique aura, as its tragic storyline was gazumped by the bigger tragedy of Larson's death just one day before first preview. Which means any viewing of the production feels like taking a shaky step into the dramatic opera it was based on.

The show centres on a group of dissatisfied bohemians using their art to protest the gentrification of New York's East Village. Larson famously based the story on Puccini's La Bohème, making swaps like the character's careers changing from art and poetry to filmmaking and song writing, and the struggles with tuberculosis to the HIV/AIDs epidemic. At the centre is flatmates Mark (Gaten Matarazzo) and Roger (Travis Ross), whose gang of free spirits are under threat from their landlord and former friend Benny (Joaquin Pedro Valdes).

The most important thing to know about Rent is it's often more art piece than musical.

While the show is linear, you'll notice how scenes don't simply lead one after another, they flow. The production feels in constant flux as characters swoop in and out of the story, injecting drama, chaos or social commentary (with varying degrees of light-handedness) before leaving in a flurry of movement.

The sometimes twitchy, sometimes super clean, choreography is a triumph, and contributes to the feeling that this show has a pulse. It writhes and strains against the conformity of 'normal' theatre by being in constant, erratic motion.

The high-drama of the opera is still very much there, only wrapped up in layers of 90s grunge, sarcasm and a sense of despair from those left behind in America's era of techno-optimism. With the stage set in the round – where characters often sit on chairs and dip into the middle – it could have easily slipped into GCSE drama territory, but Larson's dialogue is simultaneously poetic and unpretentious enough to keep that at bay.

The cast is also key, Matarazzo is a treat as the central storyteller, often bringing humour and energy to lift us from one moment to the next. His own life often felt secondary to that of Roger's and yet that never affected the actor's presence on stage. His relationship with Danielle Fiamanya's Joanne in the song "Tango: Maureen" was the definite highlight – especially with the Strictly-worthy moves.

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Ross was just as magnetic, often drawing the eye to wherever he stood, and his connection with Alexa Lopez's Mimi was crucial for keeping the story afloat – even in the most abstract moments their story felt like an anchor.

Another standout was Jeevan Braich's Angel who really did seem to emit light during his scenes, and was beautifully paired up with Billy Nevers' Collins.

As a collective their timing and group-chemistry was tangible and again contributed to the show's electric feel, or perhaps that was the songs, which most musical theatre fans will know are top drawer. Aside from the infinitely popular Seasons of Love, La Vie Boheme is a perfect act one closer and What You Own was the ultimate 90s banger.

Once again this show could have easily tipped off into the realm of art overload if not for the top notch staging. Throughout the production Mark employs a camera to film his fellow revolutionaries which is then projected onto screens across the stage. This device both dates the show and gives it an edginess that Larson surely intended.

Don't go into this expecting a straightforward musical, it's messy, jam-packed, and sometimes hard to grasp onto. However, if you like a good beat, good staging and very good acting, you'll feel this show in your bones.

Buy Rent tickets at LOVETheatre

For more recommendations check out the Theatre section or listen to our new podcast In the Interval. Plus, our Jesus Christ Superstar review and Beetlejuice review. We also have events like the best kids theatre shows and best West End shows.