Bonnie and Clyde

It was a pleasure to be returning to the Devonport Playhouse to watch a new production of Bonnie and Clyde a show I hadn’t watched before. The world premier was staged in California in November 2009 and tells the story of the infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. It focuses on their love story during the Great Depression, their life of crime and their ultimate sacrifice/demise. The music is described as a ‘non-traditional score, combining rockabilly, blues and gospel music’.

When I sat in my seat in the auditorium my eyes were immediately drawn to flying Bonnie and Clyde sign which had a continuous moving image of gunshots projected onto, this was a great addition.

The muted stage set with its variety of moveable wooden slates and panelled walls and doors portrayed atmospherically a variety of run down establishments in America at the time of the depression.  The set was decorated newspaper images of the main characters and their exploits both on the moving slates and a static board stage left. There was an opening on the upper level from which a constructed car emerged with lit headlights, this item added cohesion to the story. The bars set on stage right were well used as the prison cell. Various curtains, chairs, tables and lights were used at different levels to depict the hairdressing saloon, Buck’s home, the café Bonnie worked in, the hotel room and the Sheriff’s office. These settings were made all the more authentic by the addition of well sourced large and small props which were all well managed by the cast. The selection of guns, which the pair were renowned for were evident. Congratulations on costuming your cast and backstage crew who seamlessly moved items during the production.

Both the lighting and sound levels and effects added detail and created the correct atmosphere throughout the performance.

The costumes were excellent and well fitting. Time had obviously been taken viewing images of the time to ensure that period designs, patterns and shapes had influenced their sourcing. One little point if I’m being ultra-picky it might have been an idea to place a dressing over Clyde’s wound following the removal of the bullet because when he turned his shirt was clean. Materials may have been different but from the audience this cannot be seen. Hair, footwear and make up all added to the illusion.

It is a joy to listen to a show with a live orchestra and yours were wonderful under the direction of your Musical Director and Conductor. The 8-piece group were led with precision and the balance between them and the vocals was superb throughout. All the different genres of music were great and enhanced the show. The Musical Director had obviously spent time with all the cast to ensure the singing was first class.

I had been told that your director had a very clear vision about how he wanted every area of the production to be delivered and this came across in the performance I viewed. Everyone on stage knew their place and the pace was excellent.

Although a choreographer was not named in the programme the movement during the performance was well rehearsed and delivered by the members of the cast.

The names Bonnie and Clyde are legendary outlaws but many don’t know the back story to their partnership. The musical focuses on their relationship and their family loyalties.

The two younger actors portraying Bonnie and Clyde in their former years held their own parts on stage with confidence. They sang ‘Picture Show’  with clarity  and told the stories of the protagonist’s dreams and longings for adventure. The flashback sequences added to the story.

Your player depicting the dynamic, charming Clyde did so with such assurance, he embodied the outlaw who craved a life of excitement with ease.  He showed family loyalty, confidence, style, great stage craft, immense emotion, moved with ease and had an exceptional vocal talent with a voice which was captivating. ‘This World will Remember Me’ was powerful and ‘Bonnie’ tender. His ukulele playing added another dimension.

Your new member portraying Bonnie is a wonderful addition to your team. She demonstrated all the aspects of a beautiful young lady craving dreams of stardom either or stage or writing her poems and fierce loyalty to Clyde. She was no push over though and stood her ground. She commanded the stage and sang with a strong and controlled voice ‘Dyin Ain’t so Bad’ was heart rending.

I would like to add that it was difficult to write about the characters separately the charisma between the two leads was palpable. They played out the story as if they were the embodiment of Bonnie and Clyde and the ease, they had with each other made the story believable and the intimate scenes appear real. Their voices showed emotion and the duets ‘Too Late to Turn  Back Now’, The World will Remember Us’ and ‘Dyin Ain’t So Bad’ were exceptional. Tour de force performances both of you.

Buck Clyde’s older brother showed the close relationship he had for his sibling. He had grown up in the same criminal activities as his brother and struggled to choose between his life with Bonnie and Clyde and his loyalty to his wife. He created a clear character with and his duet with Clyde ‘When I Drive’ showed an excellent vocal range.

The actor depicting Blanche Barrow created a strong character. She was a religious woman with a clear plan for her and Buck’s life together. The routine in the saloon ‘You’re Goin Back to Jail’ when Buck broke out of jail was a comedy moment in the show and lightened the mood for a little while. The duet with Bonnie ‘You Love who you Love’ was lovely and ‘That’s what You Call a Dream’ sung with feeling.

They like the leads these two were hard to separate. Their great relationship was very believable and Blanche’s distress when Buck was shot was upsetting.

The actor portraying the police officer Ted Hinton did so with presence. He grew up in the same place in West Dallas as Bonnie’s family and had a secret crush on her.  He tried to warn her off Clyde and his duet with him ‘You Can Do Better Than Him’ was heartfelt. He was a little quiet when initially delivering his text but became more forceful as the show moved forward.

Wow! what a fantastic voice your actor playing the Preacher had it reverberated around the theatre. It was sonorous and powerful and gave the character a clear evangelical, passionate presence when delivering her messages to the congregation.

Emma Parker is Bonnie’s widowed mother who doesn’t approve of her involvement with Clyde. Her protective instincts led her to try to persuade her to leave him. A well-rounded character.

Buck and Clyde’s mother Cumie was down on her luck but tried selflessly to bring her boys up and the story of their exploits has an impact on family bonds. A good portrayal.

The final named character was the Sheriff Schmid who clearly showed his determination to capture the duo and keep law and order. As their spree continues his character becomes more single minded and ruthless and calls in others to help and maintain justice.

It is very important that the whole ensemble is congratulated. Many of them took on smaller roles which they delivered in a focused manner and used their assured singing to contribute to the success of the production.  Many congratulations to your production team whose vision created a show of such a high standard with wonderful pathos. Congratulations to all on and off stage.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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