Bonnie and Clyde, folk heroes of the Great Depression, make interesting subjects for a musical, although, on the evidence of this production, I’m not sure the execution completely works. Much like the outlaws themselves, last year’s West End production has taken to the road, landing in Cardiff Bay.
It’s a retelling of the true story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who rose to fame as lovers and outlaws. The media and public were both fascinated and horrified by them, until their untimely demise in a shower of bullets; the musical, though, focuses chiefly on their love story.
My main problem with Bonnie & Clyde is its tone. It doesn’t know whether it wants to be a show with its tongue firmly in its cheek, or take itself seriously. By no means am I suggesting it ought to eschew humour entirely, but it could perhaps lessen it. Rarely does media about the pair mention Clyde’s mistreatment in jail; here, allusion is made to his rape by another prisoner, in the service of portraying the prison guard as the villain of the scene, to a chorus of audience mirth. With bullet holes covering the sets – a constant reminder of how many bullets they spent and how many were used to stop them – too much is played for laughs, and it takes too long to get serious.
On the other hand, the music and vocals save the show. Granted, an adolescent Clyde singing the lyrics “Bang bang, you’re dead / Bang bang, you’re dead” (in opening song Picture Show) had me worried, but they were the only musical misstep. The songs range from rockabilly to bluegrass and gospel: When I Drive and Raise A Little Hell would not sound out of place on the country rock charts.
The vocals of the four main cast – Katie Tonkinson and Alex James-Hatton as Bonnie and Clyde; Sam Ferriday and Catherine Tyldesley as Buck and Blanche, Clyde’s brother and sister-in-law – are superb. Tyldesley, best known for Coronation Street, is the most pleasantly surprising: her Blanche is believable and her voice impresses, especially on You Love Who You Love, a duet with Bonnie. Outside the main foursome, Jaz Ellington gives an outstanding performance as the Preacher with gospel-rock number God’s Arms Are Always Open.
Bonnie & Clyde is a little too long, saved by its music and vocals, and overall enjoyable. My disenchantment aside, the rest of the audience seemed more positively responsive to it, and despite everything I still recommend it.
Bonnie & Clyde, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 26 Mar
On until Sat 30 Mar. Tickets: £16-£54. Info: here
words CHRIS WILLIAMS
