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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Union Theatre

Reviewed – 8th October 2019

★★★★

“a spectacularly over-the-top production and a monumentally good time”

Whilst originally a Broadway show (based on the novel by Anita Loos) starring Carol Channing, it’s Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell’s killer pairing in the iconic 1953 film adaptation that’s kept this story live and kicking in the musical canon. Even if you haven’t seen it, you’re sure to be familiar with the glorious fuchsia-scarlet clash in Miss Monroe’s absurdly decadent number, ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’. Much like most of Marilyn’s back-catalogue, the play’s plot isn’t quite besides the point, but it’s third to the big showstopper numbers, and whoever has the daunting task of filling her inimitable shoes.

Lorelai (Abigayle Honeywill), a small town girl with a penchant for diamonds, has her eye set on a sugar daddy to provide her a life-time supply of the sparkling little gems. When her deep-pocketed fiancé (Aaron Bannister-Davies) catches wind of her sordid past, she feels certain that he’ll break off their engagement, so she immediately goes in search of a wealthy replacement, with the help of her friend and ‘chaperone’, Dorothy (Eleanor Lakin).

Honeywill is a perfect Marilyn type: white blonde, strikingly beautiful and a small hip wag away from charming most anyone out of their life savings. Presumably, though, she doesn’t want to be accused of merely playing Marylin rather than the character herself, so in an act of defiance she’s taken on this Lina Lamont-type nasal squeal. Whilst it proves comic at times, it’s not sustainable, particularly when singing. Honeywill has a beautiful singing voice and she can’t resist giving it her all, but she ends up sounding schizophrenic, swapping between a bold, sometimes husky tone to an insufferable screech, and back again.

The principals are all perfectly cast. Lakin’s Dorothy is brilliantly mocking and tongue-in-cheek, and Freddie King, playing Henry Spofford, finds an endearing balance between being charmingly artless and just plain charming. The chorus is brimming with triple threats, and it seems they’ve been as carefully cast as the main characters.

With the amazing Sasha Regan once again directing, the production is quite spectacular. With such a small stage, and the accompanying piano (Henry Brennan) and drums taking up a good chunk of it, it seems dangerous to have so many high-kicking, split-leaping, almost gymnastic dance numbers with a cast of eighteen. But choreographer Zak Nemorin seems determined to present the high production value that this show deserves, regardless of whether the drummer gets disturbingly close to getting kicked in the face on several occasions.

Justin Williams has cleverly pared the set right back so at least there are no tables and chairs for the chorus to break their necks on. Instead, a scarlet red carpet runs dramatically down the back wall and all the way to the front, preparing us for the big number we all know and love. Unfortunately, ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’ falls a little short when the time comes. The lighting (Hector Murray), though otherwise beautiful executed, on this occasion blacks out the red back-drop and simultaneously washes out Lorelei’s pink gown. The song itself is a little quiet and the only occasion during the entire production when I remember thinking the band could do with a couple of muted trumpets. This is the only disappointing number, and really only because the ‘53 version is so vivid.

What with the set not providing much atmosphere, the costumes (Penn O’Gara) certainly make up for it, with gorgeous silhouettes aplenty and fringe for days.

There’s an amazing amount of songs packed in (music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Leo Robin), and to ensure they’re all covered, the plot in the second half gets a little lost. But as I said, no-one’s here for a gripping twist, or an emotional think piece. We’re here for a spectacularly over-the-top production and a monumentally good time, and ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ delivers in spades.

Reviewed by Miriam Sallon

Photography by Mark Senior

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Union Theatre until 26th October

Previously reviewed at this venue:

Around the World in Eighty Days | ★★★ | August 2018

Midnight | ★★★★★ | September 2018

Striking 12 | ★★★★ | December 2018

An Enemy of the People | ★★ | January 2019

Can-Can! | ★★★★ | February 2019

Elegies For Angels, Punks And Raging Queens | ★★★ | May 2019

Daphne, Tommy, The Colonel And Phil | ★ | July 2019

Click here to see our most recent reviews

★★★★

“the company succeeds in bringing off this show with great flair”

If you haven’t yet discovered the oasis of peace in busy Hoxton that is the Geffrye Museum, then, for the next few weekends in August, you have an additional reason to go. Free Theatre UK is performing a “steam punk” version of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic Great Expectations that audiences of all ages will enjoy. This is an outdoors production, so bring along a picnic, something to sit on, and don’t worry if it rains. The company is well prepared with tents for both performers and the audience. And did I mention it’s free?

Great Expectations is the kind of novel that gets introduced to school kids at too young an age, and it is often years before they wish to tackle Dickens again. This is a great pity not only because the story of Pip and the extraordinary characters who surround him is unforgettable, but as always, Dickens paints a vast canvas illuminating the lived realities of the Industrial Age. It is appropriate, therefore, that Free Theatre has chosen to perform this adaptation in the grounds of the Geffrye Museum, founded and built by a successful merchant as almshouses for the widows and orphans of ironmongers. Skillfully adapted by Phil Willmott, this production of Great Expectations is also highly accessible, so it’s a wonderful way to introduce your kids to Dickens before they have a chance to get discouraged.

Like Pip, Free Theatre UK also has “great expectations,” and the company succeeds in bringing off this show with great flair. Everything has been thought through with care, from the greeter at the gate who ushers you into the gardens of the Geffrye Museum, to the actor who courteously bids you farewell at the end of the show. The set is elaborate by outdoors performance standards, with a lot of imaginative touches. Both this, and the costumes, designed by Penn O’Gara, give this production its “steam punk” elements, and if there is one criticism to be made, it is that this idea could have been developed a bit further in the script. But the design elements use steam punk to memorable effect.

Free Theatre UK is, for the most part, a young company, although what some performers lack in experience, they make up for in talent. Under the capable direction of Phil Willmott, everyone has a chance to shine. Noteworthy performances include Cal Chapman as Pip, Darcey O’Rouke as Estella, and the terrific Matthew Wade, who takes on contrasting roles as the convict Magwitch, and as Joe, Pip’s gentle and caring foster father. There’s also Jan Hewitt’s wonderfully operatic Miss Havisham to enjoy as well. As an ensemble, the cast works beautifully together, taking on multiple roles, sharing the narration between them, and even performing some live music.

You’ve got two weekends and Bank Holiday Monday to catch this glorious show. Go!

Reviewed by Dominica Plummer

Images by Joseph Mark Photography

Union Theatre

Reviewed – 8th October 2019

★★★★

“a spectacularly over-the-top production and a monumentally good time”

What with the set not providing much atmosphere, the costumes (Penn O’Gara) certainly make up for it, with gorgeous silhouettes aplenty and fringe for days.

Reviewed by Miriam Sallon

Photography by Mark Senior

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Union Theatre until 26th October

Previously reviewed at this venue:

The Geffrye Museum of the Home

Reviewed – 17th August 2019

★★★★

“the company succeeds in bringing off this show with great flair”

You’ve got two weekends and Bank Holiday Monday to catch this glorious show. Go!

Reviewed by Dominica Plummer

Images by Joseph Mark Photography

Great Expectations

The Geffrye Museum of the Home until 1st September

Previous ten shows covered by this reviewer: