Tonight we saw Jason Rip's play, Last Blast: Chet Baker Checks Out. It is a 90-minute entry in the London Fringe Festival, and it is spectacular. I'd give it 4.5/5.
What was so brilliant was the script in combination with the staging, coupled with the acting, especially by the two leads: Chris McAuley and Franklin Davis.
The story has a somewhat unforgiving angel (Davis) visit jazz trumpeter Chet Baker (McAuley) in a hotel room in Amsterdam shortly before Baker is going to die. The angel drags Baker through all his miserable relationships and his drug addiction before Baker dies. It is an interesting way to do a biographical/historical script.
The script itself is witty. Rip shows himself to be a premier wordsmith and an extremely knowledgeable playwright once again. This is one of the best things I have ever seen that he has done.
In the wrong hands, the production of the script could have been a boring recitation. Fortunately, Rip, who directed the play as well, brought life to the script with unique staging and excellent casting. The roles played by the women in Baker's life were cast with actresses who captured a wide range of Baker's experiences.
Last Blast is an impressive, significant play about Chet Baker. There are two more shows scheduled at The McManus Theatre: Thursday, 8:30pm; and Saturday, 4:15pm. Don't miss it.
Disclaimer: I know and/or have worked with all but two members of the ten members of the cast as well as several members of the crew for this show.