Beautiful Little Fool at Southwark Playhouse Borough Review
Written by Bronagh for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Known for their penchant for gin and juice and their raucous behaviour in hotel lobbies, F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald (David Hunter and cover Amy Parker) pretty much are the faces of 1920’s New York. They partied hard to a jazz backdrop, sinking champagne along the way. But what about the less glamorous side? What about the alcoholism, money dwindling and, lets be honest, Zelda mainly being known for her mental illness and not creative works? The shine dulls massively.
Beautiful Little Fool is told through the eyes of Scottie Fitzgerald (Lauren Ward), their daughter who has now reached an age older than her parents ever did, whilst she sorts through the Fitzgerald archives. She notes how from the age of 5 she knew how to clean up after one of her parents hedonistic parties, witness to their up and down behaviours and emotions. Whether acting as the awkward college student, a child learning Italian grammar or as a 48 year old, Ward’s performance is brilliant to watch.
There is no doubting that the entire production is ambitious and could be a glossy sell out. However, as it stands it feels like it is still testing the waters and unfinished. We see fragments of the Fitzgerald’s lives through the years, but they never feel quite concluded and it all feels quite surface level. There’s so much more meaty content that Mona Mansour’s script could have explored; towards the end Scottie has a ‘F the patriarchy’ rage at how history treated her mother, and other women of the time. Now this could have been the bones for a truly brilliant show, and sadly came too late in the production. The seemingly preferred overall conclusion is that despite their volatile and unequal relationship, F Scott and Zelda were tragically and deeply in love.
For a show on the Fitzgeralds, there is a remarkable lack of jazz music throughout. The two go together, surely? Hannah Corneau’s music is more rocky than I’d expected; as fantastic as they were, I felt like the four piece band overpowered the casts’ voices at times, perhaps suited for a bigger venue. I will say it is refreshing to see a new musical, a nice break from the classics, and the potential really is there.
Two diamonds in the Tiffany necklace for me were the set and costume design (Shanko Chaudhuri and Laura Hopkins respectively). I loved the antique shop feel of the Fitzgerald archives, books and letters strewn around. The set moved around, allowing us to be transported to the South of France, Montgomery and multiple sleeping quarters. Parker’s costumes instantly grabbed me, like a crow to shiny things. She was totally transformed into a flapper and looked stunning with it.
I initially saw a social media advert for Beautiful Little Fool towards then end of 2025, and was instantly hooked. Call me basic, but I suppose my mind instantly time travelled back to 2013 when I was glued to Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, a glittering production with an iconic soundtrack. Don’t go into Beautiful Little Fool expecting this. We’re not there yet, but I have no doubt with a few tweaks this really could be special.
At Southwark Playhouse Borough until 28th February 2026.
Content warnings: strong language, flashing lights, smoking on stage, themes of alcoholism and mental illness.
★★★
