Above the Stag – 18th March 2019
Reviewed by Prachya Van de Gevel
3.5***
Goodbye Norma Jeane, takes us through the aftermath of Norma Jeane, Marilyn Monroe’s, passing. Her old friend and choreographer Jack Cole, played by Tim English, is retelling the secrets of Hollywood Royalty and the truth from behind the camera and closed doors on some of the world’s first major actresses of the silver screen.
Many sought his talent and he helped them create their very on screen personas that catapulted them to fame. Everyone from Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable, and even Marilyn Monroe benefited from his tutelage these roles are played by Rachel Stanley, who is so captivating in the many faces she has to play. Tim English, retells the stories of the past in a wonderful manner, but I just felt at times I was just getting talked at, in many ways it was more a memoirs of Jack Cole. Which whilst I appreciated this as his name has almost become lost in history it brings such a pivotal character to life.
Where I struggled was the over use of the term Baby Doll, to the point it just felt cringe worthy. I felt some of the longer monologues could have been a bit more punchy and this is not down to Tim’s abilities as an actor I think he did a great job, I felt at times a little bored and just was in anticipation of the next starlet to appear in his doorway.
Rachel Stanley has the most diverse role to play, singing, dancing and portraying all these different character roles and she really does a stunning job. I felt like I wanted at time to just fast forward to when she was back on the stage because I knew there would be a faster pace, and light heartened entertainment. Her presence broke up some of the monotony of the some of the longer stories Jack Cole regaled us with.
Overall I think it’s an important play by keeping the memory of Jack Cole’s stories alive and in may ways the real Hollywood truths, and I feel grateful to be able to witness and pass his stories on, I just needed more rather than feel like I was being read too and longed for another musical number, overall an enjoyable night out, with great acting, but just lacked a certain punchiness with it’s script.