“the songs are performed with a wealth of emotion, making the stories being told even more poignant”
Fresh from a successful run of performances on Seabourn Cruise Line and in the Middle East, Sirens of the Silver Screen makes its London debut at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate. Directed by Mark Giesser, it explores the lives of Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, three of Hollywood’s most iconic stars.
Beth Burrows, both performer and writer, introduces all three women over the course of the production and tells the stories of their lives, which weren’t all glitz and glamour. The audience learn of dark trials and tribulations endured, some of which they may not have known about before. The stories are well complimented with performances of the three icons’ most famous songs, as well as projections of footage of real events and interviews.
Burrows gives an exceptional performance throughout the production. Her vocals are stunning and she delivers each song with ease. She doesn’t try to impersonate each icon whilst singing, the exception perhaps being during her comedic rendition of Marilyn Monroe’s “I Wanna Be Loved By You”. Overall, the songs are performed with a wealth of emotion, making the stories being told even more poignant. Burrows’ vocals are accompanied by Bobby Goulder, the Musical Director and Pianist, and Doug Grannell, Double Bassist, which makes for a simple, but effective band and balance of sounds.
Costumes include Garland’s blue and white gingham “Dorothy” dress, Hepburn’s sophisticated black number from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Monroe’s iconic white dress from The Seven Year Itch. They definitely help to bring all three women to life and compliment the production well.
Some may be sceptical about seeing a production delivered by one actor, but you have nothing to worry about here. Beth Burrows commands the stage with a strong presence and the right balance of comedy and sensitivity. This is a well thought out, eye-opening tribute to three legends of Old Hollywood.
Reviewed by Emily K Neal
SIRENS OF THE SILVER SCREEN
is at Upstairs at the Gatehouse until 18th November
“Moulder played Richard Hannay, the protagonist, amusingly well”
The 39 Steps was originally a thriller novel by John Buchan. It was famously brought to the silver screen by Alfred Hitchcock in the 1930s. Tonight’s take by the Tower Theatre Company was based on Patrick Barlow’s comic adaptation that ran for over nine years in the West End. The plot and characters are broadly in line with the film, with the notable difference that the scenes are now being played for laughs and with a cast of only four.
It was an accomplished performance by all concerned, and I would never have known it was the first performance of the run. It is a skilfully written adaptation and the actors served it well under the spot on direction of Rob Ellis.
Adam Moulder played Richard Hannay, the protagonist, amusingly well and there was a real ensemble feel between him and the other actors. Sophie Mackenzie, cleverly changed characters as required, as Annabella Schmidt initially, and then two other ladies romantically linked to Hannay. Dom Ward was excellent at bringing humour to each of his numerous roles, and made clever use of voices and characterisation. Emily Grimson was also a good sound part of the team, and there was no dropping of pace, by anyone, even when doing set changes.
By necessity, the staging was fairly simple. Costumes fitted the period and the part, but were quite basic to allow the actors to don different outfits quickly. Props were used effectively and imaginatively.
This production would perhaps benefit from a bigger space, and a longer run, as it was an incredibly entertaining way to spend an evening. I thoroughly enjoyed this pacy piece as did my companion, and the rest of the audience!
Reviewed for thespyinthestalls.com
Photography by Robert Piwko
THE 39 STEPS
is at Upstairs at the Gatehouse until 14th October
