The plot of this story is created very simply, by telling the life story of Woody Guthrie, one of the greatest American music legends of all time. His music inspired Bob Dylan and hundreds of others, and unlike other life stories that may need embellishing, there seems to be so much passion, heartache, grief and courage in Woody's life that they struggle to pack it all in to one show.The audience walk in to a pre-amble where four folk musicians are playing ad-hoc on the front of the stage, taking requests and discussing the songs in a jovial scene which serves to remove any pretence that this show might have a fourth wall. Soon, the lights are up and the players are taking us through Woody's childhood. Their charisma is amazing, as each of the performers plays expertly through a host of instruments while narrating and forming scenes that run seamlessly from one into the next. Somehow they juxtapose childhood tragedy with Woody's joy of music, and it is not long before we see him in a radio station defying his producers orders to sing God Bless America, and the beginnings of his journey across the USA fighting for freedom with his only weapon: his music. "This machine kills Fascists" reads the scrawl on his beaten up guitar. The show carries one hell of a message with it.Powering the story throughout is the music of Woody Guthrie, sometimes heartfelt, sometimes glorious. As vocal harmony, violin, mandolin, guitar, double bass, and even the percussive spoons take us hell for leather through his music, jaws drop around the room as the audience are treated to a tour de force of musical talent and sheer joie de vivre. You can see they care about the story and the message, and that is part of what makes this show so charming. Find this show's next venue and buy a ticket.
