RENT

Mark Cohen

Bernard Sunley Theatre, March 2020

Directed by Cydney Beech

Photography by Callum John

RENT was a massive learning experience for me. I developed a lot of self-confidence and stage presence as I found Mark's voice. I learned so much about the queer community, the AIDS crisis and chosen family. And I learned to tango. This was an incredibly loving and supportive cast and crew. I couldn't have asked for a kinder group of people to work on my first musical since leaving secondary school. In hindsight, this was also the last production I did before the Covid-19 pandemic changed the theatre world entirely. Incredibly fond memories.

RENT is an iconic rock musical that centres on the lives of a group of impoverished young artists, struggling to survive in Manhattan's East Village in the shadow of the AIDS crisis at the end of the millennium. Amidst their struggles with addiction, loss, political unrest and poverty, the group find their strength in the community they’ve built. Taking you through a whirlwind of emotions, RENT will leave you wanting to seize 'no day but today'.

Inspired by Puccini's La Bohème, RENT features powerful and unforgettable songs including Seasons of Love, Take Me or Leave Me, and La Vie Bohème. This award-winning musical is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet!