Theatre review - 'I Found My Horn'

Last night I went to the ADC Cambridge to see the one-man show I Found My Horn based on the book of the same name by Jasper Rees. Third year Cambridge student Oskar McCarthy played the part of Rees who takes up the horn again after a 25 year gap. After discovering his horn in the attic Rees takes it along to a mass blow at the British Horn Society's annual event. Inspired by the fabulous sounds of the Hallelujiah Chorus for 70 horns, and fearing a mid-life crisis, he decides to set himself the challenge of playing a solo at the next British Horn Society event... without the other 69 players. Along with the horn was his student copy of Mozart's K447 (Horn Concerto No. 3 in E flat) and after seeking the advice of horn player Dave Lee ("my advice is don't do it") and numerous other big names he decides K447 will be the piece to perform. The play follows some of his adventures and highs and lows of learning the most difficult instrument in the orchestra. Of the highs and lows, there are many and they are extreme. McCarthy matched this extremeness in his portrayal which covered all the emotions and was very humerous. There was a lovely sketch of Mozart with horn player Leutgueb negotiating the exchange of the concerto for some cheese and an amusing account of what words might accompany the music at the start of the Romance. The play was a condensed version of the book but the production features much of the music and McCarthy actually plays the horn on stage showing the improvement from rusty re-starter to, well, I won't give the ending away in case you end up seeing it. Other issues covered include anxiety, approaches of different teachers, the school orchestra, transposing, match practise (or performance practise for the Americans) and ensemble / solo playing. There were plenty of horn sounds from concertos and symphonies in the recorded soundtrack and a few memorable quotes including "it takes balls of Sheffield steel to play the horn" from northerner Dave Lee. McCarthy is an accomplished horn player and was clearly in his element with the acting alongside the playing and all in all this was a great production. My initial grumble was that it was on at 11pm but it was well supported and worth staying out late for. Having taken up the other hardest instrument in the orchestra I naturally warmed to the story and much of the content was reflected in my own learning and challenges. Productions of the show appear to be few and far between but the book is a good alternative for now and highly recommended.