Writer: Fiona Ellis
Director: Cinzia Hardy
The business of show has always been rich fodder for drama and comedy. Whether wringing melodrama from backstage shenanigans, or poking fun at the sensitive or inflated egos of actors, writers are drawn to the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd. This locally produced cabaret-style comedy leans heavily into the comedy, touches on the drama, and illustrates both with a slew of classic tunes from Broadway and The Great American Songbook.
Fading performers Margaret “Froggy” Frognal (Jane Holman) and Adele “Foxy” Fox (Zoe Lambert) are taking the opportunity of time between gigs to present a two-woman showcase of songs from their past successes or that illustrate their feelings and attitudes. Frognal, the more serious and mature one, has arranged this small tour of the provinces along with her flighty friend Fox, but as they reminisce and gently snipe at each other, a cloud begins to form over the relationship. Can their friendship be saved with the help of songs from some of the greatest composers of the twentieth century? Well, of course it can, and the road to reconciliation is a fun one.
Holman and Lambert make a good double act. Fox’s flights of fancy frequently grounded by Frognal’s level-headedness allow both performers to display a strong chemistry that comes across the footlights loud and clear, and immediately engages the audience. Their voices also complement each other with Holman’s rich alto blending with Lambert’s soprano to create some nice harmonies. It should be said that neither performer seem to be singers first and foremost, and although this lessens the impact of several of the songs, their personalities shine through to keep the audience on their side.
The choice of songs is inspired. Writer Fiona Ellis is clearly a lover of classic musicals and takes this opportunity to showcase some tunes rarely seen outside of their own shows. Hernado’s Hideaway from The Pyjama Game, The Pineapple Song from Cabaret, and Runnin’ Wild (as sung by Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot) sit alongside more well-known standards like Gypsy’s Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Just My Bill from Showboat and Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music. The biggest laughs come when the songs veer into broad comedy and it’s nice to hear Flanders & Swan’s The Gnu still managing to get big laughs, while an attempt to sing Cocktails for Two is interrupted with Spike Jones-style wild sound effects. Surprisingly, one song that is absent but seems to fit perfectly is Bosom Buddies from Mame – oh well, maybe in the sequel.
The third member of this dysfunctional troupe is accompanist Declan Flannery (referred to by the ladies as David or doo-dah among others). Flannery plays the downtrodden and cynical piano player so often seen in such pieces, and his few lines are often snide one-liners about his co-stars. His piano skills are excellent with him providing almost all of the music for the entire show (the ladies add to this with occasional uses of guitar, ukulele and, impressively, accordion) although the tempo on several of the songs would benefit from being faster. Flannery is even given a chance in the spotlight himself as he takes the opportunity of the cast bickering backstage to present a bit of Rachmaninoff.
As a concept Frognal & Fox: A Life in Music is extremely strong. The music choices are mostly excellent and Ellis’s script contains enough jokes and character beats to keep it moving along nicely. That said, the direction/choreography could do with being tighter. Its fine that the two performers seem to be doing their own thing at the start: it adds to the overall haphazard feeling the show strives for. However, dramatically it would be more satisfying that once the ladies patch up their differences, that they are perfectly synchronised in their movements.
This show is good but would benefit from a little more work to tighten it up. However, as an entertaining evening in the presence of charming company, let’s hope Frognal and Fox can team up again to regale us with more stories of their glittering careers.
Runs until 7th June and then tours the North East until 28th June
Fun & Fresh
The Reviews Hub Score
