Writer: Mark Davies Markham
Director: James Baker
Clare is a beauty therapist, a single mother, and one half of the hit 90s pop duo 2Gorgeous4u. Reflecting on
whether to reform with her bandmate Tina, Clare considers what it means to hold on to old grudges. Should she take the step to forgive and forget, and re-launch her career at a music festival in Sefton Park?
This one-woman, one-act show, written by the late Mark Davies Markham and performed by Lynne Fitzgerald, introduces not only Clare but a plethora of hilarious characters in her life; from her matches on Bumble to her overbearing mother and her hilarious, batty customers. It is a funny, heartwarming journey about Clare’s place in the world, centred around her hometown, Liverpool.
Performed in the haunting surroundings of St Luke’s church in the heart of Liverpool, 2Gorgeous4u is an uplifting yet emotional piece, with moments you might not expect to find in a play about a girl band from the 90s. Writer Mark Davies Markham passed away earlier in 2023, and the Liverpool Theatre Festival is staging this show in his memory. Understandably, Fitzgerald is a little nervous to start. But it’s a special performance and she steps up to the challenge, the nerves fall away and within moments the audience is onside, laughing along and bopping in their seats to the fantastic 90s soundtrack that accompanies the show.
Fitzgerald multi-roles all of the characters with lovely nuances to her voice work making each individual scouser sound unique. The staging is simple yet effective, a sign of good storytelling. No bells and whistles are needed to bring this story to life; a good script in the right hands, a few 90s bangers and the beautiful open-air venue of St Luke’s – this is all you need to be entertained. The weather staying dry also helps!
The performance gets emotional for both Fitzgerald onstage and the audience in the makeshift auditorium of St Luke’s. Claire considers her mantra of forgiveness and living without regret, reflecting on life, how short it can be. Undoubtedly, Fitzgerald, the crew and festival staff have Mark Davies Markham in their thoughts at this moment, adding extra poignancy to the whole affair.
This is a well-written, funny show and Fitzgerald has done it justice. Mark Davies Markham‘s legacy shines bright in the Liverpool Theatre Festival.
The Liverpool Theatre Festival has a range of performances running until 30th July.
