Bonnie And Clyde - Drury Lane/Arts Theatre/Garrick/Tour

I was at the matinee today and while the show was watchable it was also pretty bad. I didn't find a moment of genuine theatrical inspiration anywhere to be found - not in the score, or the mundane lyrics or the pathetic dialogue. I also found it to be morally reprehensible in that while they mention that B & C kill people the show was far more interested in celebrating them than condemning them. It was the least imaginative production of a musical I've seen since "Pretty Woman".

Without knowing anything about it or listening to the Soundtrack prior, I really enjoyed it last year at the Arts.

From what I've been reading, it sounds like this year's changes aren't for the better?

I'm at a loss to understand the two-star professional reviews and the gripes on here. I went in to tonight's show with no prior knowledge or expectations, and was pleasantly surprised. It's a solid, traditional musical with instantly likeable songs, delivered well by an accomplished cast. The book is engaging, and the performances are good.

Pretty much most of the audience seemed to receive it rapturously with an enthusiastic standing ovation, so it's disheartening to learn of the critical savaging. It's not as if I'm easy to please -- witness my disappointment last week at The Great British Bake-Off Musical -- but Bonnie & Clyde is right up my street.

Pre-show, the mood is perfectly set by 30s era music, reproduced with the compressed frequency range of early gramophone recordings, accompanying a projection that convincingly shows gunsmoke billowing from an apparently gaping bullet hole in the backcloth.

Like all the best period crime dramas, the story starts with the tragic end and is then told in flashback. (If only it could have been in black-and-white too.) I knew already this was going to be a blast.

The staging is effective without being overly complex, benefiting from a lighting design that is beautifully cinematic at times. Sound design on the other hand is something one only notices when it is bad. Happily here, every word of Don Black's efficient lyrics can be discerned and the score from the seven-piece band is blended well.

The tone of Act 1 is more Bugsy Malone than Quentin Tarantino, but Act 2 is a little grittier. Accepting that this is a heavily romanticised version of the true story, the pitch is probably where it should be.

I came away wanting a cast recording -- please can we have one? -- and resolved to finally watch the 1967 film version.

Four stars.

Act 1: 19:33-20:39
Act 2: 21:02-21:59

Can anyone confirm - are gunshots recorded or blanks? And how loud are they?

Random question. Does ANYONE know about this crazy fandom apparently - been a lot of backlash on Twitter and just am very nosey. (Can't figure out what it is!)

I don't use Twitter. What is the issue?

Thanks. That is nuts! I am going next month to see the new version. Hope none of them are there!

Was there yesterday for the matinee. These people ruined the experience, don't sit anywhere near the front!

Giggling at inappropriate points because a member of the ensemble appeared, talking about how best to get their attention before the show. Made me feel sick passively listening to it.

I enjoyed the show at the Arts but this behaviour, along with the questionable changes that have been made. I have no interest in returning to this show for a while.

Although I did enjoy Lauren Jones as Bonnie, Jodie Steele and Dom Harris.

Saw Barney Wilkinson in the past as Clyde and he's a scene stealer as Archie!

Is it possible to un-expire/unlock the poll?

Saw this last night and was every bit as good as I remember. This show is all about the score, so I can imagine if you’re cool on the music you might not enjoy the wider piece.

I’d seen it before at the Arts, with the fantastic Lauren Jones (who was great last night as Trish) deputising and when Barney Wilkinson made his Clyde debut, replacing JLG mid-show. So it was my first time seeing Jordan and Frances together.

I really believed their chemistry and thought the vocal performances were exceptional. Gage’s stage presence during Raise a Little Hell really is something to witness.

Another five stars from me. But I do recognise its pitfalls in terms of the plot - feel it would benefit from painting a better picture of the economic struggles of the time, the lead characters’ relationships with their parents, etc.

I am tempted to make a Wednesday matinee return next month to see Lauren Jones as Bonnie though. As much as I enjoyed McCann, Jones plays the role with more raw emotion and is just more compelling to watch in my opinion.

Haymarket then.