The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical at the King’s Head Theatre

Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical at the King’s Head Theatre | Theatre review
29 August 2013
Elizabeth Finney
Avatar
Elizabeth Finney
29 August 2013

As ever when considering a work of musical theatre, the age-old “triple threat” is thrown into question. Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical had its opening night on 29th August in the King’s Head Theatre, Islington, and despite the strong musical score, powerful voices on all accounts and the wide range of dance talent, the acting was left painfully neglected in some key roles.

The set was clever, simple and for the most part very effective. Most of the props and costume seemed authentic, but between WD’s unconvincing attire and Sheriff Hamer’s clip-on braces accompanied by a modern belt, there were slip-ups. The ladies’ costumes were gorgeous, and the infamous Bonnie Parker dress/beret combo was executed brilliantly. The use of the original photographs projected on the back flats of the set was bold, but nonetheless effective in addressing the reality of their plight.

The performances themselves were varied to say the least. Blanche Barrow (Emma-Jane Martin) was fiercely strong and unfaltering throughout; her stage relationship with Buck Barrow (Anthony Jardine) was flawless, easily outstripping the focal love story of Bonnie Parker (Samantha Louise Clark) and Clyde Barrow (Tom Sword), the latter of whom seemed perpetually nervous. Bonnie and Clyde’s relationship was wooden and forced, despite Clark’s powerful solo efforts, whereas Blanche and Buck’s was heart-wrenchingly detailed. WD Jones (Christopher Burr) could have been a much-needed catalyst for drama, but instead wasted the potential for tension with Clyde and was unpersuasive aside from his adoration of Bonnie.

Oddly, all of the characters were portrayed as the good guys, to the extent that even the dubious Sheriff Ted Hinton (Gary Tushaw) was seeking to gain sympathy from the audience. The lack of an obvious villain and the forced amicability of every character left the performance lacking in emotion. The entire cast suffered from a fear of stillness and silence – traits that could have been used to great effect.

The show has promise and should develop into something more substantial than it is currently. The concept is strong and the musical elements enjoyable, especially the live pieces on stage. Unfortunately, the play is still in its infancy and needs development in all areas for its cast to achieve triple threat status.

★★★★★

Elizabeth Finney

Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical is at the King’s Head Theatre until 21st September 2013. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

Typical at Soho Theatre

★★★★★
Ella Satin
Read More

Grimm Tales for Fragile Times and Broken People

★★★★★
Emma-Jane Betts
Read More

Gatsby at Cadogan Hall: An interview with Jodie Steele and Ross William Wild

Michael Higgs
Read More

Living Record Festival: Ain’t No Female Romeo

★★★★★
Brooke Snowe
Read More

West End Musical Drive In Online

★★★★★
James Humphrey
Read More

Hymn at the Almeida Theatre Online

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

Songs for a New World

★★★★★
Sophia Moss
Read More

Night Tree at Pavilion Dance South West Online

★★★★★
Alexandra Fletcher
Read More

The Color Purple – At Home at Curve Theatre Online

★★★★★
Emma-Jane Betts
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap
  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Smith & Burrows – Only Smith & Burrows Is Good Enough
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Creation Stories
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Detroit Stories – Alice Cooper
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Gatsby at Cadogan Hall: An interview with Jodie Steele and Ross William Wild
    Theatre
  • Wrong Turn
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • My Wonderful Wanda
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Foster Boy
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Your Honor
    ★★★★★
    other
  • Maximo Park – Nature Always Wins
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The most important inventions of the 21st century
    Tech & Sport
  • My Favourite War
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Typical at Soho Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Detroit Stories – Alice Cooper
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Minari
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • West End Musical Drive In Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Filter at Islington Academy | Live review
Get your grill on at Meatopia