Press Nights can be nerve-wracking for the cast and creatives of any production. However, tonight’s performance was delayed by about ten minutes as one of the main lead cast members Catherine Tyldesley was taken ill just before the curtain rose. Oonagh Cox stepped into her lead role of Blanche Barrow and gave a fantastic performance. There was nothing to suggest she had stepped into the role last minute.
Bonnie and Clyde lived fast and died young. The musical doesn’t glamourise their lives together it gives an insight into how Clyde Barrow had watched his father treated by the people he worked for and had been moved on and lost everything. Clyde didn’t want to risk being treated the same and embarked on a short-lived life of violent crime, which finds him serving time behind bars.
After breaking out of prison Clyde Barrow (Alex James-Hatton) meets damsel in distress Bonnie Parker (Katie Tonkinson) whose car engine is having another episode of losing oil. Clyde offers to lend a hand as long as she will drive him to another county. The spark between them ignites almost immediately between them as they fall in love.
The onstage chemistry between James-Hatton and Tonkinson is electric. Their romance appears to naturally blossom and on a couple of occasions, James-Hatton gives Tonkinson a loving gaze that appears to be real. Chemistry as strong and natural as these two is wonderful to watch. Adding another depth to the couple’s on-stage dynamics as the infamous couple.
The singing throughout the musical is outstanding. The duet performance with Bonnie and Blanche is one of the highlights of the production. The clarity and strength of their voices led to a loud round of applause.
Nick Winston has directed a superb touring production of the West End hit musical Bonnie and Clyde. Along with also being the musical’s choreographer. Combined with the fantastic set where one minute you are behind the prison bars and the next you are in the house of God. The changes take place effortlessly. Full credit to set and costume designer Philip Witcomb.
For more information about Bonnie and Clyde and future productions at New Victoria Theatre in Woking please use the link below.
Photo credit Grahame Larter
Four Stars.
https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/
Home
Tuesday 23rd April-Saturday 27th April 2024 at Woking, New Victoria Theatre.
CAST
Catherine Tyldesley as Blanche
Danny Hatchard as Clyde
Katie Tonkinson as Bonnie
Sam Ferriday as Buck
AJ Lewis as Preacher
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