Supersonic Man

It is great to see a new musical that tackles a serious and life-threatening disease head-on, and Writer/ Director Chris Burgess has done this with mixed success. He has taken the true-life story of Peter Scott Morgan who was featured in the Channel 4 documentary Peter: The Human Cyborg and developed him into the fictional gay influencer Darryl and partner Adam as they discover Darryl’s diagnosis and decide to use any new medical theories and treatments to fight the progress of Motor Neurone Disease.

Set against the colourful and lively gay community of Brighton emphasises the terrible loss of ‘a way of life’ that occurs as MND gradually immobilises the body. Dominic Sullivan as Darryl captures the bitterness and frustration extremely well and as his supportive partner Adam, Dylan Aiello has a tenderness and tone that contrast well. Burgess’s musical numbers ask for a large vocal range that both hit, but never appear totally comfortable with. Supporting them are three friends: newbie to the Brighton scene, Ben played with panache by James Lowrie, Ruth their fitness guru, Jude St James. And the fun packed best friend Shaz, Mali Wen Davies. Harmonising well, they also then provide the other characters including the film crew appointed to record Darryl and Adam as they cope day to day with Darryl’s fight to survive.

What works well are the times where we see the relationship and inner thoughts of Darryl and Adam both together and in solo moments. Here it feels the heart of the musical lifts. Where is feels misjudged is in the broad characterisation of the self-centred film crew who are prepared capture any moment because it might be award winning. Almost making the main documentary director into a panto villain. And then satirising the ‘Boffins’ as round-spectacled white coated nerds, who are only there to give Darryl the new medical breakthroughs in the hope of extending his life. The humour was best when it came from the close relationships.

This is a strong premise that never quite lives up to its Supersonic intention.


Photo credit: Louis Burgess