Rent Musical - Tom Stoppard Theatre, London

As an early birthday present, I went to see Rent in London. I first saw the musical live back in 2001 and it has remained one of my all-time favourites ever since, never leaving my top ten musicals.

My son said he knew I was going to see it, and not just because I told him. Apparently, the fact I had been singing the songs for weeks beforehand was a bit of a giveaway! It's fair to say I was excited. But I was nervous too. Would they have changed it? Would it still be the show I fell in love with all those years ago?

The weather was dreadful, and very wet, but nothing was going to dampen my enthusiasm. We picked up some merchandise before taking our seats. The theatre is quite intimate, with some audience members even seated on the stage itself. This seems to be becoming a trend, as Jesus Christ Superstar is doing something similar.

However, I genuinely felt I had the best seat in the house. I was in Row B, right beside the small staircase the cast used to move between the stage and auditorium. It made me feel immersed in the action rather than just watching it. Angel even said hello to me. It was the perfect spot and I honestly wouldn't have swapped it for one of the on-stage seats.

As for the production itself, it was phenomenal.

Whoever cast this ensemble deserves enormous credit because every single performer was exceptional. The cast is packed with talent, and each actor throws themselves wholeheartedly into their role.

Mark is played by Gaten Matarazzo. You may recognise him from Stranger Things, although I've never really got into that show, so I can only judge him on this performance. He was an ideal Mark. As an aspiring filmmaker struggling with loneliness and the aftermath of a failed relationship, he brought real authenticity and heart to the role.  His flatmate Roger is played by Travis Ross, who delivers a compelling portrayal of the troubled musician. At times he reminded me a little of a young Kiefer Sutherland, which is high praise from me. Roger's would-be love interest, Mimi, is played by Alexa Lopez. Mimi has always been the character I empathise with the most, and Alexa captures her vulnerability and spirit beautifully. Light My Candle is such a playful number and the chemistry between Travis and Alexa makes it a joy to watch.

Tom Collins, known simply as Collins to his friends, is played by Billy Nevers. His performance of the reprise of I'll Cover You was utterly heart-breaking. There was such raw emotion in his delivery that I genuinely believed he was feeling every word. Whether he was crying for real or not, it certainly felt that way. It was a remarkable performance.

His partner Angel is played by Jeevan Braich, who is simply wonderful in the role. I loved Angel's drag costumes, particularly the Christmas outfit, and I challenge anyone not to adore this character. Angel is the beating heart of the show, endlessly kind and full of warmth. Jeevan brings tremendous energy, superb vocals and impressive dance skills to the role.

Maureen is played by Lazy Violet. As Mark's ex-girlfriend, Maureen is larger than life and thrives on attention. As a fellow extrovert, I can relate to her in some ways. Maureen left Mark for Joanne, and while Joanne is organised and professional, Maureen is gloriously chaotic. Lazy Violet embraces every bit of that unpredictability and commands attention whenever they step on stage. It's almost impossible to look anywhere else.  Joanne is played by Danielle Fiamanya, and I loved the strength and confidence she brings to the character. Between the emotional tug-of-war with Maureen and moments such as the tango sequence with Mark, Joanne has a lot to navigate. Danielle handles it effortlessly, bringing intelligence, poise and depth to every scene.

Supported by a stellar ensemble, Rent remains the emotional rollercoaster I remembered. I loved the set design, with televisions surrounding the stage, all proper old-school TV’s and the warehouse look apartments.  During the interval, the sounds of New York drifted through the theatre speakers to help create the atmosphere. Having been in New York just three weeks earlier, I can confirm it sounded wonderfully authentic.  The story remains as hard-hitting as ever because life itself can be hard. What I've always loved most about Rent is the way this group of friends support one another through everything. Through heartbreak, illness, loss and uncertainty, they remain a family. That's what makes the show so moving.

But ultimately, it's all about the music.  There are so many songs in Rent that I love, and hearing them performed live again was an absolute treat. While the order differs slightly from the film adaptation, I really appreciated how the story unfolded on stage. Every member of the cast did justice to these iconic songs. They sounded exactly as I hoped they would, delivered with passion, power and sincerity. Listen out for Rent, Light My Candle, Out Tonight, I’ll Cover You and Take Me Or Leave Me. Of course the most famous song is sung by the whole cast ensemble. Seasons Of Love is the first song of Act Two and the ensemble member who does the high notes (think Mariah Carey) absolutely nails it. Impromptu cheers and clapping from the audience for that alone.

So, did I love it?  More than I'd even hoped.  There's a reason Rent has remained one of my favourite musicals for over two decades. This production reminded me exactly why.

Measure your life in love.

Rent The Musical is currently playing at the Tom Stoppard Theatre.