The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

 Once again the Rep tackled a demanding play newly available to amateurs. Written by Tim Cartwright and originally winning an Olivier award for the National Theatre production in 1992, it became more well known by the film version in 1998.

Rosie Burke produced a 'tour de force' performance as the drunken mother, drowning her sorrows and her pleasures in any available alcohol. She relies on her introverted daughter LV and her friend Sadie to provide the very basic means of living. When Ray comes into her life she begins to see a new dawn but fails to see that he is only playing her along in order to achieve his life long ambition - discovering a new singing star. Rosie had every part of her character covered, drunken slut, wheedling and demanding mother, free and easy lover. A mentally and physically demanding role achieved with merit.

Naomi Robinson, the daughter known as Little Voice, has little opportunity to put her stamp on the character of LV until late in the play when her frustration and disgust at her mother's behaviour and life style pours out. Meanwhile she brings a full voice and passion to her singing role as she reinvents the stars of her dead father's record and disc collection.

Roger Green is very believable as the night club host who stakes his reputation on 'making' a new star for his demanding boss played by Stephen Radford. Nick Blackmore gave a sympathetic performance as th Billy, in love with LV but not able to bring her to a normal life and Fiona Broadhead was a naively put upon Sadie (a little more voice projection would be good).

The split set, with bedroom raised, showed the squalor of the living conditions and the sound and lighting effects complemented the story. 

I am sure that the Director and cast were very pleased with their achievments. Well done. 

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