George Takei's Allegiance Tickets

Based on real events and inspired by the biographical novel that George Takei wrote (They Called Us Enemy), who himself had spent some of his younger years in an internment camp, the main body of the show takes place between the bombings of Pearl HarBased on real events and inspired by the biographical novel that George Takei wrote (They Called Us Enemy), who himself had spent some of his younger years in an internment camp, the main body of the show takes place between the bombings of Pearl Harbour and Hiroshima. We follow siblings Sam and Kei Kimura, Japanese Americans, with their family and friends who have settled on a farm in Salinas, California and uprooted to an interment camp in Heart Mountain, Wyoming. They are considered enemy aliens by the US, and treated with contempt at the camp. Political lies between the US government and the JACL force the hands of the prisoners to choose between swearing allegiance to the US, and fighting what is tantamount to a suicide mission or being sent to a hard labour camp. I cannot sing the praises of the cast high enough, as they draw you right into the story, and without realising it your heartstrings have been tugged at more than once that, you find you have tears falling from your eyes. You are witness to the changing of relationships as the affect of war and different beliefs of the characters take their toll. The two leads (Telly Leung & Aynrand Ferrer) are nothing short of sensational. With a truly incredible supporting cast who are full of energy, you can see that they put their hearts and souls into their characters. And, of course, you are treated to the legend that is George Takei in a dual role. The soundtrack features some stunning but highly emotional power ballads (Higher by Kei) as well as some upbeat swing numbers (Paradise by Frankie). The vocals from the cast are flawless, and serve to intensify the emotion of the scene, mix that in with some wonderful choreography, you have a show that will be a talking point for days after and want you booking another visit. What really works for this production is the intimate setting of the theatre, making it fully immersive for a more powerful, emotional experience. The staging is fairly simple, which is perfect as the acting and singing behind a compelling storyline speak volumes. Read more

This was, sadly, our final visit to this fantastic show that has all the ingredients to be heartwarming and emotional in equal measures. And yes, we even have the T-shirts to prove it! It’s not often that a show can touch you in a special way, and AlThis was, sadly, our final visit to this fantastic show that has all the ingredients to be heartwarming and emotional in equal measures. And yes, we even have the T-shirts to prove it! It’s not often that a show can touch you in a special way, and Allegiance is one of two that has done that for me this year. The music, storyline, cast and choreography make this a show I will never forget. (And I always have the Broadway version to enjoy on DVD). Telly Leung was not performing tonight, so instead we we had Sario Solomon in the main role of Young Sammy Kimura, who gave an incredibly passionate performance. Sat in the front row made for an immersive experience in a truly unforgettable way. You hear and see things the rows behind don’t get the beauty of. And the cast are almost in touching distance of you. Read more

This was my second visit to the show before its run ends on 8 April. It’s an epic rollercoaster of emotions that is both heartwarming, and have you shedding more than one tear throughout. Based on real events and inspired by the biographical novel thThis was my second visit to the show before its run ends on 8 April. It’s an epic rollercoaster of emotions that is both heartwarming, and have you shedding more than one tear throughout. Based on real events and inspired by the biographical novel that George Takei wrote (They Called Us Enemy), who himself had spent some of his younger years in an internment camp, the main body of the show takes place between the bombings of Pearl Harbour and Hiroshima. What really does work for this production is the intimate setting of the theatre, the smaller scale to that of the Broadway original, so making it fully immersive for a far more powerful, emotional experience. The cast are all superb, and you can’t help but be drawn right into every character’s part of the story no matter what side of the political fence they are sat. The soundtrack comes with a mix of power ballads that soar (Higher by Kei and Stronger Than Before by Kei & Hannah) and some upbeat, swing numbers (Paradise by Frankie and 442 Victory Song by The Big Band Singer). The vocals from all the cast are flawless, and serve to intensify the emotion of the scene, mix that in with some wonderful choreography, you have a show that will be a talking point for days after. The staging is fairly simple, which suits perfectly as the acting and singing behind a compelling storyline is all the power it needs for this beautiful piece of theatre to speak volumes. Read more