5th May 2023, Garrick Theatre, London
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was one of the rare occasions i have been to a show with literally no prior kowledge of the show!
The show is based around the lives of famous outlaws, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The show actually opens with the deaths of the couple in a police shot out, 167 bullets straight through the car.
It then goes back in time to show the the couples single lives. Bonnie is living with her mum an and elderly relative, while Clyde is living with his poor family who found out they need to move on again, The entire production is set in the Great Depression so the lives of both characters are extremely poor. Bonnie finishes work and her car is not working. Clyde who has just escaped from jail with his brother agrees to help her if she takes him somewhere to avoid the police. This is the start of the romance. Clyde's brother arrives at his wife's hairdressers. This scene was so funny. His wife Blanche convinces him to return to jail and see out the rest of his sentence, to the song "Your going back to Jail" The next morning Clyde goes round to visit his brother with Bonnie. He is furious with his brothers decision to go back to jail. The next scene is a hysterical church scene with a preacher singing "Gods Arms Song", Buck hands himself in, while Clyde carries on stealing. He is caught and thrown back into jail. Bonnie visits him, against the wishes of her friend Ted. The judge at the end of the their sentence frees Buck but keeps Clyde in jail for further crimes. He is attacked constantly by a prison guard, which convinces Bonnie to help him escape. She smuggles a gun into prison. Clyde uses the gun to kill the guard and escape. Act 1 ends with the 2 of them starting their life on the run.
Act 2 opens with the pair on the rum, carrying out their crimes. One particular burglary, they enter a bank and learn the bank has actually ran out of money! They also argue over which order their names should go, asking various people at gunpoint for their answer. With the pair getting more famous, they make the front page. Bonnie decides to start sending in her poetry, which completes one of her dreams to become a published author!
Clyde's brother decides to join him to save him. Blanche reluctantly joins him. Buck gets too carried away and ends up joining Clyde on his crimes. The police get news of their whereabouts. This ends in a massive shootout, resulting in Bucks death.
Clyde is full of guilt. Bonnie tells him they have to carry on, and if it ends they need to die together! The show ends with the song Dyin Ain't So Bad playing and the lights go oguireut.
The casting of the show was perfect! Jordan Luke Gage was amazing as Clyde. Having seen him in & Juliet i knew he would be perfect. Frances Maryli McMann as Bonnie was exceptional! Her ability to have a comic side in a serious situation (the bank robbery scene) was amazing, then her trying to encourage Clyde not to give up after he starts blaming himself for the death of his brother!
Jodie Steele as Blanche was the standout for me. She was amazing, playing the devote christain, and her suddenly looking up and talking to God in the scenes was hysterical!
George Maguire as Buck was great. His duets with Clyde where perfect, with them bouncing off each perfectly
I sat in Dress Circle C 26. The view was good from the seat. I was able to see everything happening on the stage, and the emotions on the actors faces. I would recommend this seat.
There was a wide range of merchandise to purchase from program, pin, magnet, hoodies and T-Shirts.
Overall this show was amazing. Going in blind meant i had no bar for it to meet, and it was smashed most shows i have seen in the West End. Its a shame its only on a limited run at the Garrick Theatre. If this show opens on in a new theatre in the West End or goes on a tour, go and see it!!
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