Yvonne Arnaud – until Saturday 9th May 2026
Reviewed by Heather Chalkley
4****
Writer Peter Quilter has taken this epic true story and moulded it into a tragic comedy like no other! Director Kirk Jameson has managed to bring to life Florence Foster Jenkins’ rise to notoriety, imbued with warmth, humour, admiration and an incredible lack of self-awareness!
Wendi Peters (Florence) has honed her huge voice for the purpose of singing beautiful arias with most of the notes in the wrong order! That is quite some feat! Notes are sung at just the right level, pitch and dissonance to have the audience roaring with laughter and applauding with admiration, at the same time as feeling pain in their ears! More impressive is Peters facial expressions, reflecting the emotions of each opera and the complete and utter ignorance of how terrible she sounds! Florence had a big heart that wanted to keep on giving, to charity and community, using her voice as one way of bringing people together. The look of triumph and excitement Peters gives Florence with her whole body, when she accepts the invite to play at Carnegie Hall, is a standout moment not to be missed.
Matthew James Morrison (Cosmé McMoon) said more with his body language and countenance than actual words, most of which caused people to laugh out loud. You see the growth of Cosmé’s relationship with Florence, starting with utter fear and cringe at the atrocity of her voice, to blithely accompanying her on the quest to spread the gift of music to everyone. The fact that he is paid well compels him to stay, then unexpectedly he finds fondness and respect, a desire to help her live her dreams.
Peters is ably assisted in creating such a fun performance by the epic costumes, that are beautiful and satirical all at the same time! Well done creative team for bringing the music, costume and set together in a way that creates the atmosphere of a big concert hall.
Florence was determined to live her dream and there is a lesson for us all in that!