Bonnie & Clyde are back in the West End with their crime and murder spree but this time they are on a rampage in a much larger venue.
Last year their crimes took place at The Arts Theatre, now it’s at the much larger Garrick – and opening night proved a major draw (attendees included Luke Evans and Rhydian).
Luke Gordon Gage and Francis Mayli McCann reprise their roles as Clyde and Bonnie, though as Bonnie prefers ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ in a production that pulls all the stops in telling the true story of America’s most famous crime couple.
Sweet and innocent Bonnie lives with her mother ()(father is deceased) and then one day meets Clyde Barrow, who along with his brother Buck (George Maguire) are career criminals, much to the dismay of their mother (Pippa Winslow) and Bucks wife Blanche (Jodie Steele). Bonnie & Clyde start their relationship nice and sweet but eventually Bonnie gets caught up in the crimes of her husband and soon enough she’s in it for the long haul. And there’s no turning back when Clyde kills a policeman that the couple have to live life on the run.
Bonnie & Clyde was so successful in its first run that it’s great to see it come back. While Mayli is good enough, no one can match the voice and energy and performance of Gage – the show is his (previously he was Romeo in ‘& Juliet but this time he’s the star). Gage belts out one in ‘Raise a Little Hell’ & ‘Bonnie’ while Steele steels scenes away from Maguire and Mayli – Steele has been in many shows and her experience shows.
While nothing can replace the masterpiece of the film (Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty), this production is well done and a good enough starter for people who haven’t seen the film and don’t know much about the gun-slinging murderous couple of the 1950’s.
Bonnie & Clyde is playing until May 20, 2023 – book here bonnieandclydemusical.com
