I’m not sure why we haven’t seen many Frank Wildhorn musicals in London, less than a quarter of his output I’d say. Those I’ve seen here – Jeckyl & Hyde and Victor / Victoria – I’ve liked, though I was less enamoured with The Scarlet Pimpernel on a US tour in Seattle. Despite the fact this is the first professional staging of this one, it appears to have a cult following, such was the popularity of the recent concert performances and the fandom on show at the Arts Theatre.
It follows the infamous couple from when they first meet (with some flashbacks to their childhood selves) to their demise. What seems to start as fun develops a more cruel and heartless character, then they begin to enjoy the infamy, appearing in newspapers as folk heroes and signing autographs, as much if not more that the buzz of the crimes themselves. Clyde’s brother Buck gets drawn in, much to the consternation of his wife Blanche. There’s a childlike naivety to them, rather than a blind ruthlessness, though they are of course murderers. It ends as it started, with a very pleasing roundedness.
It’s a hugely impressive eclectic Americana score packed full of superb tunes, and Don Black’s lyrics propel the story forward. Ivan Menchell’s book is a series of very short scenes, but not at the price of storytelling or character development, and with a surprising amount of humour given the subject matter. The pace is facilitated by a design from Philip Whitcomb which relies on minimal props but excellent projections to create locations, featuring iconic period images like petrol pumps and cars. Nick Winston’s direction is slick and highly effective; even though there’s not much ‘movement’ you can see his choreographic background in the staging.
All four leads – Frances Mayli McCann as Bonnie, Jordan Luke Gage as Clyde, Natalie McQueen as Blanche and George Maguire as Buck – are sensational, and very well matched, and the rest of the ensemble are first class. Cleve September plays the sheriff and Bonnie’s old flame very movingly, Ako Mitchell has great presence and a voice to match as the Preacher and the child actors (from a pool of eight) playing Bonnie and Clyde as children are hugely confident with outstanding voices.
For some reason, maybe the hype, I was taken aback by how much I admired and enjoyed this show. The audience reception was even more euphoric than me, and both the atmosphere and the reception seemed to wow the cast as much as they’d wowed us.
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