NACHRICHTEN-TICKER
REVIEW: A Gallant Life, theSpace on North Bridge, Edinburgh Fringe ✭✭
Veröffentlicht am
16. August 2018
Von
markludmon
Mark Ludmon reviews A Gallant Life at theSpace on North Bridge presented as part of the Edinburgh Fringe
A Gallant Life theSpace on North Bridge, Edinburgh Fringe
Two stars
Muriel Thompson may not be a household name but she was a remarkable woman. Born in 1875, she was a champion racing driver, winning the first-ever race for women at the Brooklands track, and was also active in the campaign for votes for women. She is probably best known for being decorated for her brave service driving ambulances in France and Belgium for the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry corps, or FANY, during the First World War.
The idea of a musical based on her life sounded an interesting concept (which prompted us to include it in our preview of new musical theatre at the Fringe) but, much as I was impressed by the cast’s commitment and storytelling, the result is sadly uneven and lacks finesse. Original songs such as the Suffragettes’ “Smashing the Patriarchy” and the cheeky “There Is Nothing Like an Australian” have a modernity that feels out of step with the early 20th-century setting and characters, especially when placed alongside tunes that are more in keeping with the period. With music played on piano and guitar, the adaptation of the 1914 recruitment song “We Don’t Want To Lose You” and the darkly satirical WWI-style “Going Back To Blighty” resonate much more strongly within the context of the show. I would also like to see more of Muriel who feels strangely absent while the historical context is being established in earlier parts of the show.
With their clipped tones and period costumes, the four-strong cast features some delightful performances including Hannah Forsyth as Muriel and Jessy Roberts as Enid. While the show’s overall effect is variable, it is still great to see writer and director Kate Stephenson cast a spotlight on this notable but little-known life, and I look forward to Not Cricket Productions developing the show to explore her life in more depth.
Running to 18 August 2018
BOOK NOW FOR A GALLANT LIFE
© BRITISHTHEATRE.COM 1999-2024 Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
Die BritishTheatre.com Website wurde geschaffen, um die reiche und vielfältige Theaterkultur des Vereinigten Königreichs zu feiern. Unser Ziel ist es, die neuesten Nachrichten aus dem UK-Theater, West End-Rezensionen und Einblicke sowohl in das regionale Theater als auch in Londoner Theaterkarten bereitzustellen, damit Begeisterte stets auf dem Laufenden bleiben, von den größten West End Musicals bis hin zu avantgardistischem Fringe-Theater. Wir sind leidenschaftlich daran interessiert, die darstellenden Künste in all ihren Formen zu fördern und zu unterstützen.
Der Geist des Theaters lebt und blüht, und BritishTheatre.com steht an der Spitze, um den Theaterliebhabern rechtzeitige und autoritative Nachrichten und Informationen zu liefern. Unser engagiertes Team von Theaterjournalisten und Kritikern arbeitet unermüdlich daran, jede Produktion und jedes Event zu behandeln, sodass Sie einfach auf die neuesten Rezensionen zugreifen und Londoner Theaterkarten für Must-See-Shows buchen können.