There was a real fizz of excitement in the air with a smoking stage and electric lighting welcoming the opening of Bonnie and Clyde at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre.
Philip Witcomb’s fantastic set design really set the mood for a modern interpretation of the 1930’s real life story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, an infamous American robbery team responsible for a 21-month crime spree. They robbed gas stations, restaurants and small-town banks, chiefly operating in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Missouri.
With a screen backdrop of the real life characters blending into the action, fine acting and brilliant music from Frank Wildhorn, it really is a must watch show.
It’s a simple small time criminal meets small town girl and they fall in love. Clyde (Alex James-Hatton) is a young man who robs for fun with his brother Buck Barrow (Sam Ferriday), but when their luck runs out, the duo find themselves behind bars.
Determined to escape, they jump jail and head home, with Buck keen to see his long-suffering and morally conscious wife Blanche (Catherine Tyldesley) and Clyde meeting Bonnie (Katie Tonkinson) and falling head over heels in love.
But whereas Buck hands himself in, Clyde goes on the run and when eventually caught, it’s Clyde who faces a lengthy sentence for relatively small crimes.
His time in prison is spent trying to dodge the attention of amorous inmates and after getting beaten up, he is desperate to escape again.
This time Bonnie is on hand to help and after smuggling in a gun, the couple go on the run, joined by Buck and Blanche and pursued by the law, ending in a deadly shoot out.
The musical direct from The West End, is full of energy, colour and excellent singing especially from Tyldesley and Tonkinson and there is a nice light interlude featuring the preacher (A J Lewis) leading the way with a rendition of God’s Arms are Always Open.
Smaller roles of Clyde and Buck’s parents are played by Taryn Sudding and Alexander Evans who double up as Governor Miriam Ferguson and Deputy Johnson and Jasmine Beel as Bonnie’s mum, Emma Parker.
The ensemble is made up of Nate Landskroner, Lauren Jones, Andrew Berlin, James Mateo-Salt, Callum Henderson, Oonagh Cox, Michael Cortez and Olivia Lallo.
Based on Ivan Menchell’s book and directed by Nick Winston, it’s a fabulous show and to quote the show publicity: “it would be a crime to miss it”.
Bonnie and Clyde runs at the King’s Theatre until 20th April before moving to The New Victoria in Woking from 23rd to 27th April. For more information on ticket availability, please visit: www.atgtickets.com.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of Bonnie and Clyde Production
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