Close-Up: The Twiggy Musical by Ben Elton - Menier

I know Elena Skye is doing this but surprised theres no more casting news. I think that will determine whether i see this or not.
Any rumours etc would be grateful.

Wonder if the other charcters will be actual real people or just based on people from that era from Ben's imagination?

That was…interesting. It’s far from the worst thing I’ve ever seen but it certainly isn’t a great or maybe even a “good” show. Putting aside it was a first preview and the leading lady needed to call out for her lines what seemed well over a dozen times - the structure of this show is very “and then this happened”, “and then this happened”, “and then this happened”, sometimes showing it (while also saying it) while other times just saying it and that creates a very choppy form of storytelling.

The problem with jukebox musicals in general is that the story relies on lyrics written for a completely different purpose than you’re trying to tell. With a BIO musical it’s even worse, the songs can seem even more shoehorned in like they did here a lot of the time. Some of them worked though, and others just contributed to the very long run time. The show ran 3 hours tonight (around an hour twenty for act one and an hour ten for act two plus late start time, interval and pre show speech from Ben Elton) and I’m sure with time that will obviously shorten but there were more than a few times I thought “they can end it here and I’ll be fine”. It didn’t help that the theatre seemed like a sauna at times - the second show in a week I’ve been to where I’ve come out soaked through.

A two star rating for me, though.

She seemed to get aggravated with herself in act two which (i get it, as an actor it’s awful) takes you out of it because she drops The character completely when that happens.

I did quite enjoy it but of course needs work and did feel for Elena Skye,by the end she was begging Stu Morley for help and brought on a script and lyrics but by then I think her brain was mush and just more or less given up.
Interesting story and life Twiggy has had even thought a couple of photos of Leigh Lawson her husband for 35 years no mention of him by name.
The rest of the cast I quite enjoyed ,Darren Day think a bit under rehearsed too with a terrible wig as does Matt Corner as Justin de Villeneuve doing a Austen Powers impression!
Previews were greatly reduced compared to usual Menier prices and Ben Elton more or less it wouldn’t be up to scratch before it started but agree it should have been in better shape guess 4 tech days isn’t much time but I doubt if Sunset Blvd is in the same shape at 1st preview when some paying £245 there will be an uproar!
Hannah Jane Fox was spot on though and quite hilarious as Twiggy’s mum.
I may see it again when all the kinks are worked out!

It’s not like they only get the script when tech starts. Why hasn’t she learned it?

I was there front row and also really felt for Elena whose special night went from bad to worse as the show progressed. She couldn't manage the final song even with the words on a clip board. The audience were on side throughout and while a standing ovation wasn't deserved it was given and hopefully made her feel a bit better. She has a lot of dialogue and lyrics, is rarely off stage in a 150 minute plus interval show, and also has some very quick costume changes. While 99% of her performance - and look - was spot on she wasn't quite word perfect. Didn't bother me at all. Her mum stole the show last night and no doubt there were lots of hugs and a few tears afterwards.

That said I was a little disappointed overall. There's not much to the book and it's mostly in the - better - second act. Only one of the musical numbers has lyrics noticeably changed to fit the story - Right Said Fred becomes Right Said Dad - and the songs don't move the story forwards. There's Gershwin to Pat Benatar, but nothing from The Boyfriend because Sandy Wilson wouldn't release the rights. That's a shame as the scenes from My One And Only were a highlight.

It's written very much in the style of a 1970s sitcom but there's not many laughs and even with a prompt 7.30 start it wouldn't finish till at least 10.15. I think about 15 minutes could be culled from act 1 to tighten it all up.

I suspect that like The Third Man this is going to struggle for an audience to fill two months, especially if the reviews are not what Ben Elton and his cast would wish. Hopefully I'm wrong.

So the music is through the decades?

Ben Elton is notorious for last-minute script and scene changes (as seen with the recent WWRY tours and London run) so this may be an explanation.

In its present form it's an okay jukebox musical based around a thin storyline. I hope you get your wish to see it but if you don't live near London I wouldn't recommend a special trip.

Don't worry, I wouldn't come over JUST for this but i'd like to catch it when i have the chance