Self Esteem Stars in West End's Teeth 'n' Smiles

0:00On April 2nd, London's West End just kicked off the 50th anniversary revival of David Hare's Teeth & Smiles, a play with music from 19. 75. Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as self-esteem, stars as the lead singer Maggie Frisbee, fronting a ragged rock band on the brink. Set in June 1969 at a Cambridge College May Ball, the story captures the dying days of the 60s counter-culture, right before punk. Hits, the bands broke, the gig pays peanuts to a snobby crowd, and Maggie's drowning her demons in whiskey, barely holding it together. Critics are buzzing about the production under Daniel Raggett, solid songs by Nick and Tony by Cat, get cranked up with real high energy power from, why, cast. Taylor, a singer-songwriter herself, nails the role with killer vocals, and nails Maggie's wild self-destructive vibe. That said, some feel the plays take on rock world massage and he comes updated now, like a relic that doesn't fully connect today.

1:00Still, Hare's script shines a light on faded dreams in burnout. Fans of Taylor will pack the house, breathing fresh life into this classic, catch it before it closes on June 6th.