The Arts Theatre London – until 10th July 2022
Reviewed by Emily Cliff
5*****
Ivan Menchell, Don Black and Frank Wildhorn’s brilliant Bonnie and Clyde has finally landed on London’s West End for a 4 month run at the Arts Theatre and boy, it does not disappoint. Debuting in San Diego before moving to a brief run on Broadway, this musical has been snowballing attraction everywhere it goes, selling out concerts at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Jeremy Jordan reprising his role as Clyde and Frances Mayli McCann taking the role of Bonnie.
Our Bonnie and Clyde at the Arts Theatre are the ravishing Frances Mayli McCann as Bonnie, and Jordan Luke Gage as the daring criminal Clyde. The pair share a chemistry that is absolutely magnetic, that mirrors the messed up danger, passion and love shared between the couple. The electricity between the two is what makes this show something truly special. The most popular and well-known song of the show “This World Will Remember Us” is where the story gets kicked up a notch, and the electricity between the pair intensifies, running off burning love, passion for each other and pure adrenaline rushes.
The supporting actors of this story are George Maguire (Buck Barrow) and Natalie McQueen (Blanche Barrow) who show a wholesome love and also provide some much needed comic relief in all the right places when the story starts to get a little heavy. McQueen’s vocals are strong and clean and the character shines through her voice on certain words and phrases naturally. The song “You’re Going Back To Jail” shows the kind-hearted determination in Blanche’s character, and McQueen sang it very clearly with all of those things in mind. Her determination, faith and kind-heartedness carried her through the show and shine through in the songs “You Love Who You Love” and “That’s What You Call a Dream”.
The staging cannot go without a mention. Those that have been to the Arts Theatre will know it is not as big and grand as its other Shaftesbury Avenue Theatre Land neighbours. However, every inch of space was utilised and used with definition and layering. The lighting was the star of the show on this front. From lights mimicking the shots fired during shoot-outs, to the on-stage visual projection, the story is brought to life on stage and then some.
The music in this show has a brilliant mix of old-timey Jazz and blues with the influences of rock thrown into the mix too. This is especially notable in the song “Raise a Little Hell”. Littered with rock motifs and riffs this is the pinnacle song for Clyde as he switches over from petty criminal to the heartthrob bad boy we know and love in this show. Another notable song with this similar mix is “Made in America” giving context to the audience on life in the great depression of America.
Overall this show was outstanding. From the magnetic chemistry between Bonnie and Clyde to the fantastic mix of musical influences. The characters rise and fall with the show and all of the ingredients put together make for a wildly wicked night of theatre that will transport you back to the hard times of the great depression. One thing can be certain, London will certainly remember you, Bonnie and Clyde.