THE LOWRY, SALFORD – UNTIL SATURDAY 11 JUNE 2022
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
Last night I saw the new production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, at the Lowry Theatre as part of a national UK tour. It first premiered on stage in London in 1992 and Broadway in 1993, and it has been revived several times since. Winner of the 1993 Olivier Awards for best comedy drama, it is perhaps best known for its 1998 movie adaptation, starring Jane Horrocks, which is based on the screenplay by English dramatist Jim Cartwright.
The eponymous LV, short for Little Voice, lives at home with her overbearing and self-centred mother, Mari in a northern town. LV flees reality and hides away in her bedroom, listening to her beloved records, left to her by her late father. Over time she develops a gift impersonating the voices of American and British artists such as Marilyn Monroe, Gracie Fields, Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Lulu and Shirley Bassey. When her mother’s boyfriend Ray Say overhears her singing, he sees the chance to make some money from her talent and forces her to sing in public.
The role of Little Voice is played by two-timed Drama Desk Award nominee and You Tube sensation Christina Bianco. She is utterly impressive impersonating the voices and styles of the many female singers. After a number of little teasers, we are treated to the full spectacle of her vocal talents at the climax of the show.
Little Voice’s mother Mari Hoff is played by the magnificent Shobna Gulati, she became a household name for her roles in Dinnerladies and Coronation Street. Gulati is on stage most of the time and triumphantly drives the play by sheer physical and vocal energy, perfectly executing her predominantly comedic and eccentric role.
King of soaps Ian Kelsey, plays Mari’s rogue love interest and evokes gasps aplenty. Fiona Mulvaney plays her friend and neighbour who loves ‘a little tea with her mug of sugar’ and provides a good deal of comic relief through the jokes. Supporting them are some inspired supporting characters; William Ilkley as Mr Boo, Akshay Gulati as Billy and James Robert Moore as Phone Man.
Nic Farman’s light show and Sara Perks’ set is a huge success, making it all look authentic and really enhancing the feeling of self induced poverty.
This production has a little voice but it has a big heart and is sure to delight audiences.