Writer: J. J. Leppink
Director: Ed Barrett
Musical Director: James Hall
Music hall marvel Nelly Power is brought to life in this charming piece of musical theatre. As well as reviving Nelly’s largely forgotten story, the performance is joyfully interspersed with music hall songs from the latter half of the 19th Century. Steeped in nostalgia, this performance taps into a musical inheritance to which many will connect. Even if you think you don’t know the songs, you’ll likely discover yourself humming along regardless.
This is a fascinating feisty one woman show with excellent musical accompaniment. Lottie Walker plays the charismatic Nelly Power who co-wrote ‘The Boy in the Gallery’, the song that skyrocketed Marie Lloyd’s career after she took it as her own. Lottie Walker gives a charming performance as Nelly. Her beautiful singing of ‘The Boy in the Gallery’ is particularly stirring as her eyes sparkle in the stage lights.
Nelly Power’s costume is beautifully constructed by designer Zoe Harvey-Lee. However, it’s rather disappointing that we do not also see Nelly in the drag costume she was so infamous for wearing. To see both would help us to visualise the two very different roles Nelly played on and off stage and help add further weight to the ‘Nelly’s hits’ portion of the show.
The pace of the play is generally good but the ending of the narrative could do with a bit of further work to ensure it is in keeping with the character that has been created. That Nelly’s final line of monologue is of defeat feels off note for both the persona we’ve come to think of as Nelly and with the general vibe of the overall piece which has otherwise been defiant.
Overall though this is a vibrant, highly enjoyable, piece of theatre which very much deserves to be seen. For fun songs, the chance to sing-a-long, and for a fascinating slice of history, make sure you add Marie Lloyd Stole My Life to your Fringe list.
Reviewed on the 5th May
