Bonnie and Clyde, Old Joint Stock Theatre Birmingham Review
Written by Roni for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Following a smash hit run in the West End, and an unfortunately short-lived UK tour, Bonnie and Clyde is back with a new imaging at Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock. Known for it’s catchy score and 1930’s Deep South setting, is this fan favourite back with a bang?
Bonnie and Clyde is a musical retelling of the lives of the infamous romantic outlaws, giving audiences just a snapshot of their life of crime. We see both parties as children, dreaming of infamy for very different reasons, before then meeting their adult counterparts. Bonnie is a restless waitress, still dreaming of the bright lights of Hollywood, but stuck trying to make ends meet while married to a convict who is nowhere to be seen. Clyde has already been a juvenile delinquent, and has now moved on to the big leagues with his brother Buck, earning the pair a jail stint – something they quickly decide is not for them, before making their great escape. Soon, Bonnie meets Clyde, and them embark on a passionate love affair – littered with hold ups and firearms. Clyde soon finds himself back inside, but when Bonnie witnesses the brutal reality of her lover’s life behind bars, the pair hatch a plan – this world will remember them, one way or another…
The Old Joint Stock, whilst being a lovely space that has produced some incredible pieces, is not renowned for its endless physical capacity, so one could be forgiven for wondering how a full scale musical (complete with on stage car) may fare here. However, producer James Edge and director Emily Susanne Lloyd should be commended for their clever use of the space; a central boardwalk hosts all the action, with the audience seated on either side, with travelling set pieces doubling as a bed and a car. You may need to use your imagination a little, but this is a quaint and quirky vision that doesn’t feel too clunky or budget-conscious. Bravo.
This production also feels exceptionally well cast, which is an achievement given the previous West End iteration had a cast with a cult-like following. The supporting cast are all incredible, with no weak links apparent even in such an enclosed and exposed space. Faye Campbell offers a somewhat softer interpretation of Blanche, which is no less welcome, and is still accompanied by powerhouse vocals. Killian Thomas Lefevre is a Buck that strikes an impressive balance between hapless and sinister, helping to carry the narrative beautifully. However, it is the two leads here who understandably steal the show. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect Bonnie than India Lily Cooper: the most gorgeous tone, accent and vocal quality that is precisely in line with what the role demands. She is sweet, and subtle, and though she be small, she is fierce. Her energy is matched note for note in Samuel Murray: he has charm, cockiness and an old-fashioned grit in spades, and more than lives up to the legendary Clyde vocals of those that have come before him. Together, they are electric, and their passion feels so natural that it sells the story unquestionably.
Overall, this is a stunning new production of a crowd favourite that makes the most of its limited space and deserves accolades for its incredible cast. Forget raising hell – this one is certainly raising the roof.
Bonnie and Clyde plays at the Old Joint Stock, Birmingham until 2 November
★★★★★
