Bonnie and Clyde might arguably be one of the most famous criminal duo's in history. Their spree of bank heists, carjacking, and murders ended in a bloodbath and left the duo cemented in history with countless films, books, programmes, and now musical's about their life. With both of the vowing that they would be remembered, it seems that they got their wish and after a successful couple of runs in the West End, these outlaws are now taking the UK stages by storm.
Visiting venues across the country until October 2024, Bonnie & Clyde is a musical that is packed with catchy tunes, and a fantastic cast as it tells the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as they meet their untimely deaths.
As with all biopics, it can be hard to make a completely engaging story. For one, the tale of Bonnie and Clyde is one that is fast paced, spanning a few short years, before they faced their end. So most of the first act of the show charts their meeting and falling in love whilst the second act charts their notoriety and demise. I have to be honest and say that the story did feel like it was lagging at times, but with not a huge amount of storytelling to go off, it's easy to see how the story can feel a tad sparse. That's not to say the show was lacking, in fact, the incredible songbook by Don Black and Frank Wildhorn truly made the show nothing short of a spectacle.
The opening moments of "Picture Show" set you up for the swinging and stylised 20's speakeasy style of song. With tongue in cheek lyrics, sincere moments, and show stopping songs, the soundtrack is what truly makes this show. I loved Bonnie's "Dying Ain't So Bad" in the second act, the softness and warmth of the song makes you almost want to root for this criminal due, whilst Clyde's "Raise Some Hell" is incredibly powerful and shows you just how far he is willing to go to be remembered. Each song seemed to sweep you away into the roaring 20's and the applause from the audience seemed to cement that fact.
The true stand out's of the show though had to be the cast. Alex James-Hatton was truly made to shine in the role of Clyde. His stage presence and confidence left you both loving and loathing this rogue of a character and it truly felt like it was a role made for him. His fierceness in Raise A Little Hell compared to the softness and sincerity in his version of Bonnie truly shows how incredible his range is as an actor. Katie Tonkinson stepped into the role of Bonnie with every bit of sass, confidence, and sultriness as she needs in this femme fatale. Her partnership with Alex was pure chemistry on stage and I honestly couldn't imagine anyone else in this duo.
Catherine Tyldesley took to the stage as Blanche Barrow, Clyde's sister in law. I have to commend her for her first musical and she truly took to this role effortlessly. The wife that is just desperate for her husband to step away from a life of crime for something more normal. Paired with Sam Ferriday as Buck Barrow, Clyde's brother, they seem to juxtapose Bonnie and Clyde's hundred mile an hour attitude whilst also getting caught up in the tornado that inevitably follows them.
Bonnie & Clyde is a show that charts history. It puts what we have learnt in stories and books onto a stage to a killer soundtrack that everyone will be singing for days after. It's fitting that this story about escaping the normal to create a name for yourself is successfully wowing audiences around the country. Bonnie & Clyde is a show that raises hell and leaves you remembering the story of this iconic killer duo.
Taking the UK by storm, to find out more and purchase tickets, please follow the link below:
Bonnie & Clyde runs at the Mayflower Theatre until 6/4/24, for tickets follow the link below:
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