Written by Peter
Quilter
Directed by Denny
Lawrence
Christine Harris
& HIT Productions
The Q Theatre,
Queanbeyan to 5 May
Reviewed by Len Power
3 May 2018
Debate still rages over whether Florence Foster Jenkins knew
she couldn’t sing. This New York society
woman who sang at concerts from the 1920s to the early 1940s controlled the
guest list to keep music critics out and was once heard to say, ‘People may say
I can't sing, but no one can ever say I didn't sing.’
Peter Quilter’s play, ‘Glorious!’, originated in London’s
West End in 2005 and has been an international hit in over 40 countries. It’s a straightforward account of significant
moments in her performing life after meeting pianist, Cosme Moon, who
accompanied her at her concerts right up to her famous final concert at
Carnegie Hall in 1944 when she was 76 years old.
Playing Jenkins is Dianna McLean who captures the spirit of
this woman very nicely. She’s ignorant
and self-delusional in some ways but there’s a sharpness and a hint of
loneliness and warmth as well that makes us question our perceptions of her. McLean gives us a well-rounded characterization
that we grow to love in spite of her faults.
It seems strange to be criticizing a performer for singing too well, but
Dianna McLean sang some passages of the songs more tunefully than
expected. However, she gave us a ‘Queen
Of The Night’ aria that was magnificently appalling.
Due to the sudden illness of cast member Joshua Sanders, the
role of the pianist, Cosme Moon, was played at short notice by Alister Kingsley
with script in hand. He played the role
so well that I became unaware very quickly of the script he was reading from. Kingsley’s great sense of timing and the charm
he brought to the role were particularly effective and funny with Cosme’s
diplomatic handling of Jenkins’ questions about the quality of her performances.
While usually played onstage by Cosme Moon, the piano accompaniment
for the opera arias was played off-stage very well by Canberra’s Colin Forbes
for this performance.
Kaarin Fairfax gave a delightful performance in three very
distinctive roles as a sour Spanish maid, a close friend of Jenkins and a
highly critical music lover.
The show was directed very well by Denny Lawrence at a nice
pace and with strong characterizations.
‘Glorious!’ is a very enjoyable play about a fascinating
woman who was one-of-a-kind.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.
