To Dream The Impossible Dream: A Man La Mancha Review

I grew up surrounded by classical works of famous authors. I stole bread with Oliver Twist, fought tiny people in Gulliver’s travels and attended galas with Elizabeth Bennet. I especially love seeing an author’s words come to life in plays and movies. To fall captive under the director’s interpretation as they reveal secrets and elements that I didn’t notice whilst reading. When I heard the Man of La Mancha was being brought to the stage at Magnus Theatre, I had to go! I treasure Spanish literature because of their beautiful and original components that I hardly find when reading English literature. So, there I was, sitting amongst a throng of people, each of them unaware of how much seeing this musical meant to me. When the lights dimmed, and the first string of guitars started as a whisper and then built into an echo, I got chills and my inner child smiled. 

Amongst my hoard of novels, Miguel de Cervantes’ genius, Don Quixote, stands proudly on my shelf. Written by Dale Wasserman and directed by Thom Currie, with music by Mitch Leigh, I felt like a common side character as it was performed live. During the Spanish Inquisition, an imprisoned Miguel de Cervantes (Rick Hughes)  is set to face a trial for offending the Church. They plan on confiscating his incomplete manuscript of Don Quixote. Attempting to save his manuscript, he suggests that he put on a play for his defence. Cervantes and his manservant (Jeremy Lapalme) then transform themselves into Don Quixote and Sancho Panza from his manuscript. They begin their adventure or rather misadventure with striking confidence. Don Quixote’s sanity is questioned after he mistakes some windmills for his enemy the Great Enchanter and tries to “defeat” it. Soon after, Don Quixote insists a roadside inn is a castle and that it’s server, Aldonza (Amy Sellors) who is also a part time prostitute is his true love. He calls her Dulcinea which angers her because he refuses to see her as she is. After many attempts to restore his original senses, he falls ill and passes away. Aldonza refuses to acknowledge his death by saying, “my name is Dulcinea.” When the play comes to a close, the “court” are deeply moved by his story. Then he is summoned for the real trial. On his way out the rest of the players sing The Impossible Dream in solidarity for their newfound friend. 

With fast paced, catchy melodies Man of La Mancha was impeccably done. Bursting with Spanish flavour, it is lyrical and tuneful. The fights, the songs, the lights, the action. I could go on about it forever. The antics in the play matched the novel in my opinion. Sancho’s parts left me in stitches each time. He gave vocal performances that had such colour and depth, I looked forward to each of his solos. The stage and costume designs were also wonderfully made. I was taken back to 16th century Spain with the moat styled drawbridge and yellow vintage lighting. 
All in all, the performance was exemplary, especially for small town theatre. From reading the novel a couple years back, to actually seeing it in real life was amazing. It was everything I could imagine. With honest, melodic musical pieces and applause grabbing moments, this group of theatre folk reached the Unreachable Star. That being said, I implore you to go see it!