Bonnie and Clyde

Although Shrewsbury and Theatre Severn are a good distance to travel, for me the standard of productions and the energy seen in the past have always made it worthwhile. Would a production of Bonnie and Clyde, be any different? As expected, I had no fear in that department as TADLOP pulled off yet another success!

The background to the musical

The musical opened in San Diego for a short run in November 2009. It was a further two years before it opened on Broadway and a further 11 years until opening at the Arts Theatre on the West End. The show reopened at the Garrick Theatre in March 2023.

Sadly, the UK tour ground to a halt due to poor box office but the show has nevertheless become a popular choice for amateur societies and I for one really like the show and the score which comes with it.

On entering the auditorium, the audience could see the open set. The band raised high above the action. From where I was sat there was a superb view of both the action on stage and the band which worked well.  

Hardly surprising Bonnie and Clyde (not Clyde and Bonnie) centres around Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow described as ill-fated lovers and outlaws who achieved folk hero status at the time of the Great Depression.

The story starts where it finishes. May 1934 Bonnie and Clyde shot dead in their car when going to visit their parents. We travel back in time and initially meet the young Bonnie and Clyde played by Ella Kendrick and Kit Watson on the evening I attended. I enjoyed their rendition of ‘Picture Show’ including the ‘bang bang you’re dead’ by Kit wanting to be Billy the Kid or Al-Capone.

Clyde Barrow played by Joseph Childs has just broken out from jail along with his brother Buck Barrow. He meets Bonnie Parker played by Robyn Marsh at the road side as her car has broken down. The pairing of Robyn and Joseph worked as well as the pairing of Bonnie and Clyde had originally. Both were convincing and both acted and sang well.

Our two principal characters were well supported throughout the evening by Katie Kinnon as Blanche Barrow and Olly Derham as Buck Barrow.

Strong performances were also evident from Alastor Clark (Ted Hinton), Alex Madden (Preacher), Charis Virgo (Emma Parker), Annaliese Wootton (Cumie Barrow) and Rich Kee (Sheriff Schmid).

Fight scenes were well done and realistic – these were clearly well rehearsed to look the way they did while cast remained safe from injury (I hope).

I referred to the locale of the band earlier on. How did they sound? Under the leadership of Adele Clarkson, the band of seven musicians were well balanced and gave us a good 1930’s sound.

Choreography throughout was of a high standard and I liked the way that the ensemble were used in some of the solo numbers acting out what the principals were singing.

To conclude a good evening’s entertainment brought to life by TADLOP. What is next I hear? Well, we have Legally Blonde in May and then Jesus Christ Superstar in October 2025. I for one look forward to them both.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.