The Malvern Theatres Trust – until 16th April 2022
Reviewed by Kathie Hodges
5*****
Can I give this show six stars?
Jim Cartwright’s classic piece tells the story of LV, played by Christina Bianco, a young introverted girl who is desperately mourning the death of her late father, with an undiscovered talent for musical impersonations – Judy Garland, Monroe, Bassey, Cilla Black, you name it ~ she can mimic it.
It’s a talent that has been not only ignored but criticised greatly by her usually drunk mother Mari, played brilliantly by Shobna Gulati, but when Mari’s new fling arrives on the scene in the shape of talent manager Ray Say played by Ian Kelsey, the voice is about to be set free. Ray hears LV sing for the first time and is blown away by her extraordinary talent. Seeing pound signs in his eyes Ray easily manages to assure Mari that LV is their ticket to the big time, their chance to leave behind the rickety house, which never contains any food, and possesses dangerous electrics, Mari is thrilled and soon changes her tune about her daughters gift.
Shobna Gulati receives many laughs in the role of Mari, she gives it her all, there is nothing she could of done any better. The character is as hilariously funny as she is shocking. Ranting and raving to best friend Sadie played by Fiona Mulvaney who only manages one word throughout the entire show , ‘okay’ because she simply can not get a word in! Pun after pun, ‘I did it my Ray’ they roll from Mari’s tongue and the outfits leave little to be desired. Tottering about in high heels, uncontainable bosoms and makeup to rival a drag Queen Mari, is full of energy and shares it with any one who will give her half a chance, while continually shouting at LV for being so quiet and ‘not being swivel’ to her new love, it was a joy to watch this incredible actress in this role. I felt exhausted just watching her drunken antics and frolics with Ray. It’s actually quite hysterical.
Ian Kelsey plays Ray Say brilliantly, Ray appears to be a harmless but rather desperate character, desperate to find that one huge star, who will propel him to the big time. Though there’s a nasty side to Ray, which we see in the second half, utter desperation turns him from quite a likeable character to a sleazy rogue, receiving a huge gasp from the audience with one of his actions.
It’s in scene two that the ultra shy LV performs a multitude of numbers, flawlessly. Though you have heard snippets of her voice in the first half, the excitement when you hear it in full is very real. The talent that Christina Bianco possesses is breathtaking, I could only watch in awe.
I admit I hadn’t heard of her before last night, but having now discovered her on YouTube I’m completely hooked. You must take a look for yourself. Singing aside I believed wholeheartedly that LV was the result of years of abuse from her mother, and what a joy it was to see her break free, and find her own voice.
The show was late starting, clearly there were technical issues but it didn’t matter, for as soon as the curtain went up I knew I was in for a treat. It should be said, that though there were clear issues with staging, the set itself was brilliantly done.
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright did not disappoint. Don’t walk run to get your tickets