Windsor Theatre Royal – until 21 March 2026
5*****
Five stars hardly feel enough for Glorious! at Windsor Theatre Royal, a production that delivers laughter, warmth, and surprising tenderness in equal measure. Based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins — the famously enthusiastic but catastrophically off-key soprano — this show is a delight from start to finish, and this cast makes it shine.
Wendi Peters takes on the formidable role of Florence, and what a performance it is. It must be incredibly difficult to sing that badly on purpose, yet Peters does so with astonishing precision. Every note is gloriously wrong, every phrase wildly misplaced, and yet the control required to make it sound so convincingly awful is clearly the work of a hugely skilled performer. More than that, she captures Florence’s spirit perfectly – optimistic, determined, and utterly convinced of her own talent. It would be easy to play the role for simple laughs, but Peters gives Florence real vulnerability. Beneath the comedy is a woman who simply loves music and wants to share that love with the world, no matter what anyone else thinks.
Matthew James Morrison is superb as Cosme McMoon, Florence’s long-suffering pianist. His reactions throughout the show are priceless, often saying more with a glance than with a line. The balance between exasperation and affection is spot-on, and his musical partnership with Peters provides some of the funniest moments of the evening. You can almost feel his internal struggle as he tries to keep the performance together while everything around him falls spectacularly apart.
Sioned Jones also deserves huge praise as Dorothy, Florence’s loyal friend and greatest supporter. Jones brings warmth and charm to the role, making Dorothy far more than just a comic side character. Her unwavering belief in Florence adds a touching layer to the story. And Caroline Gruber as Italian maid Maria is hilarious
The production itself is slick and beautifully paced, allowing the humour to land perfectly while never losing sight of the humanity behind the story. The audience laughed constantly, but there were also moments of genuine emotion that caught everyone by surprise. That balance is what makes Glorious! more than just a comedy – it becomes a celebration of individuality, passion, and the courage to follow your dreams, no matter how unconventional they may be.
By the time the final note rang out, the audience was on its feet, and rightly so. This is a five-star performance in every sense: hilarious, heartfelt, and performed with extraordinary skill.
A truly glorious night at the theatre.