Luck Be A Lady is playing at The White Bear in Kennington until Saturday 3rd July 2021 (official site).
The show runs at about 1 hour and 25 minutes (including an interval) and is written and performed by Beth Burrows, who was an OFFIE nominee for her previous production Sirens of the Silver Screen.
The show portrays the rise of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra who all dominated the stage and screen in the mid 20th century but shows their rise from the point of view of the plethora of powerful women who worked with them enhancing their success. Be these women irreplaceable dance partners or influential lovers, they highlight that Fred, Gene and Frank did not do it alone!
Directed by Mark Giesser who has written, produced and directed numerous Equity Off-West End and Off-Broadway shows the production sounded a great piece of work.
The White Bear Theatre is a Pub/ Theatre that has a greta atmosphere and offers a great menu as well a drinks which make the whole visit an experience (click here for details and bookings). Prior to the show I decided to have a drink and meal which also is eligible for a 10% discount if you have a digital or paper ticket (check the website or with the venue for full validity!) The theatre is upstairs from the pub and you are alerted to the auditorium opening by a bell ringing and a host informing you.
Once you make your way upstairs you enter the auditorium which is an intimate space. Two sets of padded bench seats (with back rests) are set on a small tier to the left of the right of the aisle, framing the stage on two sides. The stage is a slightly raised area that is set in a corner but is a large space. As mentioned before, it is an intimate space but this works well for many of the productions I have seen there, creating a more personal and close space.
The set is very atmospheric of a soundstage or set from the period. Along the back up stage, is a double base and piano on stage right (where the musicians take their places and play the scores live), next to this at centre upstage is a lamp (which is used to great effect by Beth Burrows). At the back, stage left is a large white folding xxx which covers the corner of the stage making a suitable changing area behind it and during the show, projections of archive footage of the male stars dancing or talking at an awards ceremony. Next to the screen along the side wall is a large step ladder, used as a seat during the show. There is then a large floor standing large oval mirror (which is covered and uncovered as needed) and finally a tailors dummy on wheels is positioned front stage left. In front of the piano is a series of white crates and labelled boxes, each labelled with a production company – Paramount, Columbia Pictures and Metro Golden Mayer (MGM) – which are used to hide and place other props on. Next to these boxes is a folding director style chair. Various props used are scattered around the set such as the familiar top hat, the white lined trilby or martini glass. As mentioned previously, it is a very atmospheric set and one which adds greta atmosphere to the show.
This is a one woman show although there are two musicians, the pianist and musical director Ashley Harvey and Bassist Doug Grannfell, recreating some of the well known tunes of the time such as ‘Luck Be A Lady‘.
The main characters and songs are performed by Beth Burrows who delivers an excellent and exhaustive performance, switching between narrator, to male lead to female lead effortlessly keeping the flow of the production but also taking us on a journey. She has a great stage presence and this works well for the show and particularly for the song women she is performing.
Each story is introduced from the point of view of the male lead and then develops over their career, drawing on specific details regarding the leading lady or ladies all enhanced with Beth becoming a narrator to highlight details or explain a detail further. This format works well and helps the audience understand what is happening and why but also makes some strong points about things. It has been a long time since I have seen a production that has entertained but also educated – such as how Frank Sinatra was still born and the quick actions of his grandmother saved him. The underlying tone is to highlight the strong women in their stories and make one think in a modern way about what had happened. You are not forced to believe what is being proposed but are presented with the facts and you can use your modern knowledge to draw your own conclusions. The production is not all facts and narration, there are some superb songs scattered into the show such as Singing in the Rain or Luck Be A Lady which are all performed live and sung beautifully, maintaining the original power and fun of the songs.
Overall, this is a highly entertaining show that touches many spots and presents the Golden Age of the film industry and its leading stars in a new light but above all is entertaining, enlightening and enjoyable.
NUMB BUM 