Bonnie & Clyde

Bonnie & Clyde is a fairly new musical with music by Frank Wildhorn and Lyrics by Don Black. It started in San Diego in 2009, was produced in Japan and South Korea in 2012/13, debuted on Broadway in December 2011 with UK premiere in 2014. It was not premiered in the West End until a concert version in Drury Lane in January this year and full production in the Arts Theatre in April. The show centres on Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow – ill fated lovers who became infamous during the Great Depression by becoming gangsters and killers.

Belvoir Academy choose this as their summer youth workshop for age 10 and above, with less than two weeks rehearsals. Performed in a ‘black box’ stage with 5 piece band situated on the top layer of a 4 step rostra

with cleverly moving wheeled flight cases around the ground stage area representing cars, seats etc as necessary. In such a space, expert lighting was essential and it was – always on cue and deftly focused. Translucent screens at either side were very effective in showing appropriate shadows. Sound was good too with most of the small cast wearing body mics. All actors were dressed entirely in black with extra items such as shawls, jackets, men’s shirts added to identify different characters.

 The opening featured young Bonnie (Rachel Smith) and young Clyde (Sophie Toal) on one side of the stage and Lucy Mcmath and Pierce Barrington-Wilson as the adult Bonnie and Clyde on the other side, singing of their dreams for the future – “Picture Show”. The two were instantly attracted to each other when they met, which was convincingly shown by Lucy and Pierce. Lucy’s portrayal of 17 year old Bonnie, with aspirations to be famous as an actor, singer and poet, was confident and credible and her singing voice was equally good – sometimes sad, sometimes hopeful, sometimes seductive. Pierce was ultra-confident, showing that although he loved Bonnie he loved himself more! His facial expressions and nuances were very telling! He and Lucy had good onstage rapport with each other. Clyde’s brother Buck was played by Shane Ferris. He was a lovable and child-like character – wanting to please but drawn to the adventure of robbery and crime. His ever-gentle wife Blanche, as portrayed by Annie McIlwaine, was a good contrast to her husband – God fearing and trying to persuade Buck back to the ‘straight and narrow’. Her duet with Bonnie “You Love Who You Love” and “That’s What You Call a Dream” were beautifully sung and Annie’s diction was always excellent. Harrison Gordon took the role of Ted, representing the ‘long arm of the law’ and boyfriend of Bonnie before she met Clyde. It was easy to sympathise with him as he lamented how Clyde had captured the heart of his lovely girlfriend – “You can do better than him”. Harrison’s was an honest portrayal and his voice enhanced the chorus numbers as well as his solo and duets. Serena Smart had a great ‘Blues’ voice when, as Preacher, she sang “God’s Arms are Always Open” and “Made in America”. She too enhanced and augmented the chorus numbers throughout the production. Other cast members – Maeve Lagan, Eve Daly and Niamh McGuigan – who all played multiple smaller roles such as the mothers of Bonnie and Clyde (deftly identified by donning white shawls), shop owners, bank managers, deputies etc. were flexible and energetic. They were well drilled in the moving and placing of the flight cases throughout.

Directed by Jonathan Brown, this was a very well-conceived and well executed piece of theatre. Choreography by Conor Anderson was lively, modern, well-rehearsed and precise. The music (which was unfamiliar to me) was an engaging mix of Country & Western, Blues and Pop and I loved it. MD Adam Darcy’s small band did it full justice and supported those on stage very well.

As in previous years this small cast, especially chosen by audition, did an amazing job in such a short rehearsal 

period and everyone must be congratulated. James and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening and thank you for the 

invitation.      

 

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