Did it Raise a Little Hell: Bonnie and Clyde returns to the West End

The ever-famous criminal love story has made its way back to the West End, this time at the Garrick Theatre. Starring most of the same cast, with a couple of new faces, is it worth a return trip?

The production is mostly the same as the Arts Theatre production from last year, with some added set and new projections. These don’t majorly impact the show in any way, but transitions from scene to scene feel smoother and more clearly indicate setting, however the show keeps its simple design that works so well with the on-the-road, struggling America themes. Alike the old production, projections are commonly used again. This was a highly commended inclusion last season and continues to be so. From silhouettes, backgrounds and blood splatter, it heightens every scene. However, there are two screens which the projections go on to and throughout they show they don’t quite seem to match up which makes it look like a cheap 3d simulator without the glasses at points. A key moment for the projections was in the iconic ‘Raise a Little Hell’, where Clyde walks around the prison doing mysterious deeds. It feels like he is walking around a massive prison, even though he is walking alone on an empty stage.

It’s clear why they have kept most of their previous cast because they are all stars. Frances Mayli McCann is a powerhouse as Bonnie. She not only sings with a heavenly yet soulful voice, but she encapsulates every emotion Bonnie has, every moment of hesitation, confusion, love; she nails it all. With a classic Bonnie smile, she not only steals Clyde’s heart but the heart of the audience. Her rendition of ‘Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad’ is heart-breaking, she takes it from a sad song about untimely death to a motivating mantra for Bonnie. It shows her love for Clyde, which is her true direction for the whole plot. Paired with Jordan Luke Gage has Clyde, the two have chemistry like there’s no tomorrow. Their scenes together are very believable, the love between the two characters is bulletproof. Everyone knows that Jordan can pull of a psychotic, love-crazed killer, but pulls the trigger as Clyde. His rendition of ‘Raise a Little Hell’ is goosebump-inducing, you can hear a pin drop in the auditorium as the audience listens to his every word like it’s the Bible. He captures the stage and shows the snap in Clyde’s psyche. However, he can also show the love-sick puppy side of Clyde, how he can be sweet and kind, it's amazing.

Another standout performer is Jodie Steele as Blanche Barrow. Being a newcomer to the show, she had big shoes to fill, as Blanche is one of the audiences' favourite characters coming out of the show and she nailed it. Her voice is absolutely gorgeous, and she brings new life all of her songs. Her duet with McCann, ‘You Love Who You Love’ is a heavenly moment between two lost in love women, with beautiful harmonies and a rifle of emotions. However, her shining moment has to be ‘That’s What You Call a Dream’ which isn’t one of the most well-loved songs, but she nails it too perfection. Her emotion comes through, and you can see that this is her breaking point, she is no longer the comedic relief character to keep you laughing, she becomes a ticking time-bomb of emotion.