Bonnie and Clyde
"This is a show that deserves to be a huge hit. "
It’s hard to understand why back in 2009 Bonnie and Clyde only ran for one month on Broadway when it’s been such a roaring success here in the UK. Starting as a concert performance on Drury Lane in early 2022, the show then did a short run at The Arts Theatre, a place where many shows have started and gone onto great success. Now taking up residence at The Garrick Theatre, ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ are a force to be reckoned with!
This has all the opportunity to be a dark, gory and disturbing tale of bloodshed and brutality, however the creative team have taken it in a different direction instead choosing to focus on the relationship formed by the pair and the reasons perhaps as to why they did what they did. It’s an interesting take on what is an horrific story.
The Garrick Theatre stage has been turned into a dark, dishevelled warehouse style venue, with large wooden frames around the stage, littered with bullet holes (a theme of the evening). We meet the infamous Bonnie Parker (Frances Mayli McCann) and Clyde Barrow (Jordan Luke Gage) at the end of their time on the run, and are then taken through their lives, following them from childhood dreamers to celebrity level famous killers.
Frances and Jordan are reprising their roles in the transfer, each showing us just how fantastic they truly are. Frances has an alluring yet naïve quality to her in this role, with a penchant for a bad boy she shows us that Bonnie will follow her heart over her head. Frances’ rendition of ‘Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad’ is strong and clear, every note reverberating through the auditorium with beautiful clarity. Jordan Luke Gage cements himself as a leading man in this show, playing Clyde with all the darkness, hurt and blood-lust you would expect from the mastermind behind their plans. The part of Clyde is a ‘Big Sing’ and Jordan takes it on with relative ease; ‘Raise a Little Hell’ raises the roof off the theatre and shows us just how talented he is.
There is a large ensemble cast, and it feels as though they are a little wasted, only really being utilised in their entirety for 2 numbers, and though they are well choreographed I would have liked to have seen a little more.
Jodie Steele is bringing her unmatched talent to the role of Blanche, a southern wife who just wants to live an easy life, but having married a convict, she never quite gets what she wants. Jodie is a wonderfully versatile actor and gives us comedy, heartbreak and vocals to die for. Her duet with Frances ‘You Love Who You Love’ is beautiful and shows off Jodie’s talent perfectly.
Mention must be given to the design team behind this show, Phillip Witcomb, Zoe Spurr, Tom Marshall and Nina Dunn who created the set, light and sound design deserve all the awards possible for this piece. Every moment has been thought of and some very clever techniques have been used. In particular the use of projections on the back wall to give the context of the space each scene takes place in, and the use of the thin streams of lights during the shootout scene is inspired and works perfectly.
This is a fan favourite show, it gained a cult following during it’s run at The Arts Theatre and I can see why. With wonderfully written songs, a standout cast and visuals that will take your breath away this is a show that deserves to be a huge hit.
This production was reviewed on the 8th March 2023. Bonnie and Clyde runs at The Garrick Theatre until the 20th May 2023. Tickets available here: Home - Bonnie & Clyde (bonnieandclydemusical.com)
Review written by Rosie Browne
Photo credit: The Other Richard
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