This afternoon I visited The Palace Theatre in Southend to see the SODS production of Bonnie & Clyde - a show I've never seen about a famous criminal couple I know only a little about - and was entertained and (to a degree) enthused to find out more about the infamous couple.
The show has a dramatic opening, starting with the end, and then flashes back to the pair in their youth.
To open a show is daunting for anyone, but for the two youngsters playing Bonnie & Clyde it must've been even more so. However they, Lola Larke and Angelo Montanaro, both did amazingly. Both have excellent voices and stage presence.
This translated to the adults playing the roles as well.
Sophie Cave played the ravishing redhead superbly. Her singing was, at times, spine-tingling and she portrayed Bonnie Parker will strength, sensitivity and a sense of pure femininity and sexuality. Dyin' Ain't So Bad was a highlight for me.
Declan Wright played her partner in crime and lover Clyde Barrow. His voice was strong, powerful and full throughout the whole show. He held the stage and audience whenever he was on and somehow made the cold blooded killer kind of likeable. Raise a Little Hell was brilliant.
Completing the principle line up were Heather Cooper as Blanche Barrow who gave an outstanding performance - That's What You Call A dream was superb, John Staines as Buck Barrow and Ross Howard as Ted Hinton.
Two other favourite numbers of mine were When I Drive sung superbly by Declan and John, and You Can Do Better Than him sung by Declan and Ross.
A special mention has to go to Johnny Buxton who played the Preacher, he and the company did well with God's Arms Are Always Open, as well as the Salon Girls.
I thought the staging was well thought out, with the sliding panel used for scene changes and for projection, and use of different levels.
The music was spot on throughout, a testament to the MD and orchestra.
Overall I enjoyed the show and look forward to SODS next show, RENT in November 2019.
The show has a dramatic opening, starting with the end, and then flashes back to the pair in their youth.
To open a show is daunting for anyone, but for the two youngsters playing Bonnie & Clyde it must've been even more so. However they, Lola Larke and Angelo Montanaro, both did amazingly. Both have excellent voices and stage presence.
This translated to the adults playing the roles as well.
Sophie Cave played the ravishing redhead superbly. Her singing was, at times, spine-tingling and she portrayed Bonnie Parker will strength, sensitivity and a sense of pure femininity and sexuality. Dyin' Ain't So Bad was a highlight for me.
Declan Wright played her partner in crime and lover Clyde Barrow. His voice was strong, powerful and full throughout the whole show. He held the stage and audience whenever he was on and somehow made the cold blooded killer kind of likeable. Raise a Little Hell was brilliant.
Completing the principle line up were Heather Cooper as Blanche Barrow who gave an outstanding performance - That's What You Call A dream was superb, John Staines as Buck Barrow and Ross Howard as Ted Hinton.
Two other favourite numbers of mine were When I Drive sung superbly by Declan and John, and You Can Do Better Than him sung by Declan and Ross.
A special mention has to go to Johnny Buxton who played the Preacher, he and the company did well with God's Arms Are Always Open, as well as the Salon Girls.
I thought the staging was well thought out, with the sliding panel used for scene changes and for projection, and use of different levels.
The music was spot on throughout, a testament to the MD and orchestra.
Overall I enjoyed the show and look forward to SODS next show, RENT in November 2019.