Don Black

Bonnie & Clyde

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Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐1/2

Following the Wall Street crash of 1929, the USA was hit by the great depression, money was scarce, unemployment was rife. As a result of these tough times America saw an increase of violent crime and armed robbery, notorious criminals such as John Dillinger, The Ma Barker Gang and arguably the most infamous of them all Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Dillinger, Ma Barker and Bonnie and Clyde have all had Hollywood films made about them, however it’s only that later has a musical about them. 

Direct from the West End Bonnie & Clyde, arrive in Manchester as part of a full UK tour. With the involvement of Oscar winning lyricist Don Black and Grammy,Tony and Emmy nominated composer Frank Wildhorn, expectations for this one are obviously high. 

©Richard Davenport

Set in and the ‘Dust Bowl’ of America, the production opens with Bonnie and Clyde, dead in their car, taken down in a hailstorm of bullets, but how did these 20-somethings end up in this situation? 

We are introduced to the violent pair as Bonnie (Katie Tonkinson) dreams about being a big movie star like her idol Clara Bow, whilst Clyde (Alex James Hatton) wants to go down in history like his hero, Billy the Kid. A chance meeting between the pair, sees them become fascinated with each other, he a fugitive from the law, a career criminal, intent on making a life following his family’s eviction from their farm. She, an aspiring actress, singer and poet determined to quit her waitress job and find excitement, adventure and the American dream.  

©Richard Davenport

Clyde, and his brother Buck (Sam Ferriday) have broken out of prison, and whilst Clyde  continues robbing grocery stores and continues his relationship with Bonnie, his brother Buck is persuaded to turn himself in by his wife, Blanche (Catherine Tydesley) a devout, god-fearing Christian women, determined to carve out a good, honest life for her and her husband.  

However, eventually the law catches up with Clyde, who is sent back to prison. Finding life on the inside is tough going, especially without his brother. He and Bonnie hatch a plot to spring him from jail, and so begins the pair’s infamous crime spree of bank robberies and murder.  

©Richard Davenport

Whilst not perfect there is a great deal to admire about the show. The music is a mix of late 1920’s early 30’s illicit speak-easy tunes infused with elements of gospel rock. There are several stand out musical numbers including the narrative setting Picture Show, the powerful huge ensemble number, Made In America and the heart-breaking Bonnie/Blanche duet You Love Who You Love.  

The cast are exceptional and certainly the highlight of the production. Alex James Hatton is in fine form, playing Clyde with a hefty dose of charisma and charm, aided by the fact he has a tremendous singing voice. Katie Tonkinson is in superb as Bonnie, her portrayal is one of determination and borderline fanatical belief that she is destined to be a star. The chemistry between the two leads is there for all to see, making the pair a captivating watch. Tonkinson’s powerful duet with Catherine Tydesley on the aforementioned You Love Who You Love is the highlight of the show.  

©Richard Davenport

Catherine Tydesley displays not just her fine vocal range, as well as measured, at times comedic turn as the increasingly desperate Blanche.  Whilst Sam Ferriday is sympathetic is the dim-witted yet loyal Buck, torn between doing the best by his wife and his brother. The foursome are supported by a hardworking and impressive ensemble that include Daniel Reid-Walters as the well-meaning Deputy Sheriff, Ted Hinton determined to save Bonnie from her bloody fate. 

At times I do think the pace and tone of the show is somewhat hit and miss. Once the characters are established it takes a while for the plot to really start moving along. The production is desperate for you to love the central protagonists, attempting to make the pair Robin Hood like characters, at times glossing over just how evil the pair really were. Whilst some of the comedic elements to the production work at times, on other occasions it does feel out of place.  

©Richard Davenport

Overall, this is an enjoyable night at the theatre, a tremendous hard-working cast with some great tunes and exceptional performances. Whilst the story doesn’t always hit its mark, the cast certainly go out with all gun’s blazing! 

Bonnie and Clyde is on at Manchester’s Palace Theatre until Saturday 11th May. Tickets available here.

Tell Me On A Sunday

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Reviewed by Demi Franks

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Mum, I know you’ll think I’m potty… but at last I think I’ve found him!”

Tell Me on a Sunday is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s first (and often forgotten) musical love child. This bittersweet tale is the story of Emma, played by the powerhouse that is Jodie Prenger, as she travels across the globe, from London, to New York, to California and back, on a quest for long-lasting, meaningful love. A one hour, one-woman show, which brings to the surface all the nostalgia and sentimentality of falling in and out of love and all the wonderfully uncomfortable bits in-between.

Although maybe not as well known to a wider audience as some of Webber’s other works, musically the show does have some beautifully powerful numbers, including the stunningly heartbreaking title song Tell Me on a Sunday, which witnessing Prenger nail is an absolute treat and a stand-out moment.

Francis Goodhand musically directs with panache. But there are plenty of ‘Goodhands’ here in the band too who play beautifully throughout. In fact, in conversation after the interval, Goodhand describes this as musical theatre at its best – ‘no smoke or mirrors,’ just really rather good music, which is most definitely true. Its also nice to have the band onstage throughout, who are a very worthy backdrop to Prengers’ wonderful Emma.

Anyone familiar with Prenger, knows that she not only oozes bucket loads of charm and charisma, but is a formidable performer. Least not her vocals, which are effortless and consistently sublime during this hour long song-cycle; in fact they are Streisand-esq at parts (and I don’t say that lightly!) Her portrayal of Emma is full of subtlety and raw sentiment, as she carefully navigates us through a whole range of emotions, from hopeful to desperate, vulnerable to strong, taking us on the journey with her every step of the way. Prenger provides a wonderfully crafted, fully realised performance, as she commands the stage and without us even realising the hour has passed; she is a pure delight to watch.

Unusually and unique to this production, after the interval we are invited to re-join Prenger for what is a mini ‘An Evening with…’ style second act and proves equally as enchanting as the first. Bursting back onto the stage, Prenger welcomes us back with vigour and so much likability and humour, its (ironically) hard not to fall in love with her!

She spoils us with some more songs and answers some interesting questions from the audience. This evening Harry, 11, asks for any tips about entering the acting industry, to which Prenger quickly exclaims: “DON’T DO IT!” prompting fits of laughter from the audience; she most certainly has them in the palm of her hands. We are also introduced to the very talented Jodie Beth Meyer (Understudy Emma), who performs for us alongside Prenger, and whose voice is equally impressive. In a clever turn by the producers, this addition of an ‘Act 2’ really makes you feel like you’re making a night of it and getting your money’s worth!

It must be acknowledged that its been a tough old time for the arts and as such producers are in requirement of that much needed revenue boost, which performing in large-scale spaces can enable. However, this revival of the 2016 Watermill Theatre’s acclaimed production does at times seem a little lost in the Lyric theatre here in the Lowry. It’s certainly easy to see how this intimate, personal show lends itself better to a smaller-scale space and possibly would have been better suited to one of the smaller spaces that the magnificent Lowry has to offer.

Yes there are elements of the show that appear a little outdated, but the premise still remains universal and the message rather poignant as Prenger aptly reminds us towards the end of show, ‘Dreams Never Run On Time’ which hits us differently, especially with the world still in a strange, unsettling and unpredictable place. However, the audience are still hugely thankful to be back inside an auditorium watching and listening to live musical theatre and here Don Black’s clever, cute, conversational lyrics, are beautifully matched by Webber’s distinctive and indisputable music, both of which are perfectly complimented by Prenger’s show-stopping talent and makes for a lovely mid-week treat – never mind a Sunday!

Tell Me on a Sunday runs at the Lowry Theatre until Saturday 23rd October tickets available here.

Aspects of Love

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Kelly Price (Rose) & Felix Mosse (Alex) in Aspects of Love at Hope Mill Theatre. Credit Anthony Robling

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Stripped back, elegant and intensely intimate Aspects of Love, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s romantic classic is given its North West professional premiere by award-winning pairing Hope Mill Theatre and Aria Productions and what a sensational premiere it is.

Based on the 1995 novella by David Garnett, Aspects of Love is a multi-layered and deeply fascinating exploration into the complexities of love. The story moves from one lustful entanglement to the next as intertwining relationships based around multiple characters within 3 generations of one family develop and change over a 17 year time scale. Love, lust, loss and obsession all feature in this spellbinding sung-through musical, the third of Hope Mill’s five in-house productions for 2018.

Kelly Price (Rose) & Felix Mosse (Alex) in Aspects of Love at Hope Mill Theatre 2. Credit Anthony Robling

17-year-old Alex is hopelessly smitten with glamorous actress Rose, Rose loves the thrill of attraction, desperately craving sexual freedom and adoration yet is terrified at the thought of loneliness . Despite a passionate affair Rose turns to Alex’s Uncle George for commitment who in turn introduces her to his long-standing lover, free-spirited Italian Sculptor Giulietta. Further complexities arise when years later Alex is reconciled with lover Rose whose 15-year-old daughter Jenny enthusiastically pursues him, much to the horror of protective father George.

Director Jonathan O’Boyle’s stripped back approach to this iconic musical ensures the storytelling and emotion of piece lie firmly at its heart. Conversations flow as witty song exchanges while melodic vocals develop into passionate protests. The intimate staging of this piece takes the intensity of each relationship to another level as the audience is carried along immersed in the fizzing action.

Kelly Price is sensational as Rose Vibert, passionate and demanding yet heart-achingly vulnerable, she gives an utterly compelling and deeply moving performance. Her delivery of Anything But Lonely is raw and heart-felt.

Felix Mosse is perfectly cast as Alex, displaying an incredible vocal rage, he is sensitive and entirely believable, guarded and intense yet simmering with passion and explosive rage. He judges the character perfectly and ensures the audience now have a new actor to associate with perhaps one of the most well-known songs in any musical, Love Changes Everything.

Jerome Pradon (George) & Kimberley Blake (Giulietta) in Aspects of Love at Hope Mill Theatre. Credit Anthony Robling

Jerome Pradon’s character acting as the worldly George authenticates his journey from decadent philanderer to aging father, afraid of what love may do to his precious daughter. His delivery of The First Man You Remember sung to daughter Jenny (the sweet and endearing Eleanor Walsh) captures the tenderness of the piece perfectly.

Kimberley Blake’s vivacious and alluring Giulietta is a joy to watch, her stunning vocals accompanied by slickly delivered choreography during post-funeral Hand Me The Wine and The Dice a real highlight of the show, pacy, passionate and full of sass.

Designer Jason Denvir has transformed the intimate setting with an expanse of shutter doors which are used to great effect as we glide through multiple cities bathed in Aaron J Dootson’s atmospheric shafts of light.

Kelly Price (Rose) in Aspects of Love at Hope Mill Theatre. Credit Anthony Robling

The stripped back orchestration of 2 pianos and percussion ensures Lloyd Webber’s soaring score is delivered beautifully; it’s melodic, dreamy and devastatingly dramatic.

Every aspect of this show has been crafted beautifully, scene changes are delicately choreographed while each ensemble member captivates and leaves an impact. The sheer quality of this production combined with the uniquely intimate setting of Hope Mill Theatre breathes new life into Lloyd Webber’s work. Slick, stylish and oozing with passion, Aspects of Love is another sure-fire hit for the mighty Hope Mill Theatre/Aria Productions pairing. An absolute must-see!

ON at Hope Mill Theatre until