Review: Glorious
Admit it. Do you know who Florence Foster-Jenkins was?
I suspect the majority of people will never have heard of a woman whose life was a triumph of spirit over talent.
Ms Foster-Jenkins believed, passionately, that she could sing; and sing she did – often – with energy and enthusiasm.
She was also possessed of a personal fortune that enabled her to record albums of songs which prove, categorically, that she could not.
Jacqueline Arnott's production of Glorious! for Portchester Players tells the story of the last years of her life.
The cast mostly do the text justice, particularly Julie Curry and Steve Arnott.
In a world of off-the-wall characters – particularly Foster-Jenkins herself – Curry's performance as her friend, Dorothy, is sweet and genuine and well-played.
As the far-from-straight straight man, Arnott maintains dignity in the face of the madness around him, and his final speech as the woman herself fades into the darkness of the past is genuinely – and wonderfully – moving.
As Foster-Jenkins, Peta Mewett-Reading treads a fine line between character and caricature and comes down on just the right side.
The strength of her performance – the fact that she makes you love Foster-Jenkins – makes Arnott's final speech so moving.
Greater attention to detail and some speedier scene changes are necessary and the voice of the prompter was a little too in evidence, but that doesn't alter the fact that this is a small play with a big, big heart. Enjoy!
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 4 C
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