The tale of Bonnie & Clyde is a well-known one, but this musical put on by Stand and Deliver Inc. will make you hear it like never before, set to a rambunctious rockabilly and glamorous gospel soundtrack!
The cast of actors performed wonderfully, drawing the audience into their world using their passion and strength of character, each performer nailing their complex character and filling every moment with idiosyncrasies to look out for. The staging meant even the minor characters could steal the spotlight for themselves in each moment (I’m looking at you three ladies in the hair salon!), giving us a well-rounded view of 1930s America and all the intricacies.
The cast’s singing was just as strong, the solos making you lean forward, desperate to hear more, only for the choirs to throw you back in your seat with the power of their harmonies.
For the costuming and set design, I must give the stage crew major props. Every piece of the set was chosen with purpose and passion, and the whole stage was used to the absolute fullest potential possible. While this did mean you may miss minor details if you happened to have a tall person sitting in front of you, the overall experience and stage presence this brought more than makes up for it, and the fast pacing means the characters will be back in view for you in mere minutes.
For each scene transition, the stage crew knew exactly what to do and where to be at any given moment, a well-oiled machine that made every transition seamless.
Of course, there were some minor issues—singing being drowned out by the music, microphones cutting out on actors, and some lines being delivered to the back of the stage rather than us as the audience—but these are often to be expected for an opening performance.
Each issue was combatted instantly, and the performance grew smoother as the night went on. Nothing dulled the audience’s mood, with people bopping along and hollering out throughout the whole show, creating a positive environment for the audience and actors alike.
This meant that despite costume surprises, the actors remained in character throughout, swiftly using the issue as a character choice in-scene.
Bonnie and Clyde’s run is going to be short. Sadly, this show runs only for three nights this week, and you’ve already missed opening night. Be sure not to miss it and support a new and up-and-coming local theatre company: Stand and Deliver Inc.
Book your tickets quickly @ https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1217425
Showtimes:
Friday, 6th of September: 7:30-10 pm
Saturday, 7th of September: 7:30-10 pm
Location: Warners Bay Theatre
Music by Frank Wildhorn (Dracula: The Musical, Jekyll & Hyde), lyrics by Don Black (Dracula: The Musical, Billy), and book by Ivan Menchell (Death Note: The Musical).
This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.
