Fanny & Stella

4
"The Shocking True Story" seen at Above the Stag.
By Derek - 13th May 2019

Fanny And Stella ReviewThis romp through Victorian morality is a splendid way to spend a couple of hours at the Bermondsey Working men's Club. Given the chance to tell their own story on the stage, those he-she ladies go to town with drama, songs and ribald jokes. With knowing references to the hypocrisy of the era and the time it took for significant change in society, Chandler emphasises that these pioneers had less influence than they expected.

Mark Pearce as Mr Grimes, the Club's chairman, introduces the proceedings. He brings his panto experience to the part as he deftly adopts various characters to expand the ladies’ story. His shocked frustration melting into actor's vanity is great fun. Kieran Parrot as Earnest Bolton AKA Stella carries the thrust of the story, with a tree planted for each of her lovers now forming Epping forest. He has a light hand in flitting between lovers. As William Park AKA Fanny, Tobias Charles relishes in the bawdy. Their sisterly rivalry is convincing as they revel in the utterances of the gutter.

Christian Andrews gives Lord Arthur Clinton a fey, idiotic charm. Tom Mann makes Stella’s childhood friend Hurt a pleasing blend of the boy who wants to continue playing and the employee who realises his desires must remain secret to safeguard his job. As Fiske, Blair Robertson convinces us that an American diplomat would run ridiculous risks in pursuit of pleasure. The lovers also play a variety of other characters. All the cast perform the songs and dances excellently. Aaron Clingham provides musical support/direction from the piano – an unsung hero of the piece.

Steven Dexter has tightened his direction of the play in this production. The story moves swiftly and the cast use the set efficiently, although there is a tendency for them to form straight lines across the stage. Another impressive set and costumes from David Shields with enough to suggest period music hall, working men's club, courtroom and drawing room with a minimum of fuss. I was unsure about the lighting at first as there were several dark spots in the action. I accept that this is period effect with delicate use of colour. Maybe the cast need to be more aware to find the light. Carole Todd has devised pleasing choreography which the cast deliver well.

With most characters' entrances and exits out of, then back into the closets, it is subtle when the ladies make their final departure through the main theatre entrance into the modern world. I left still singing "Sodomy on the Strand" to the surprise of evening pedestrians.

Derek Benfield


Latest News & Reviews

28th Mar 24 :: Review: The Wizard of Oz
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
27th Mar 24 :: Critics Circle Awards
The winners of this year's Critics' Circle Theatre Awards have been announced.
22nd Mar 24 :: Review: The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
5
12th Mar 24 :: Review: Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
3
7th Mar 24 :: Review: The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
5
6th Mar 24 :: Review: And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
2
5th Mar 24 :: Review: Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
3
2nd Mar 24 :: Review: Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
2
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
3
28th Feb 24 :: Review: Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
26th Feb 24 :: Offies Winners 2024
WInners of the Offies 2024 awards have been announced.
15th Feb 24 :: Review: The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
12th Feb 24 :: Review: Whatsonstage Awards Winners
The winners of the Whatsonstage Awards announced.
0
6th Feb 24 :: Review: Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell
Selected dates until 26 February at the Coach and Horses, 29 Greek Street, London W1D 5DH
4
5th Feb 24 :: Review: Macbeth
David Tennant and Cush Jumbo at the Donmar Warehouse
4
20th Jan 24 :: Review: Disney's Aladdin
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
19th Jan 24 :: Review: Alegria - Cirque du Soleil
The latest production seen at the Royal Albert Hall
3
20th Dec 23 :: Review: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Pantomime seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
18th Dec 23 :: Review: Sleeping Beauty
Panto at the Pavilion Theatre, Worthing.
4
13th Dec 23 :: Review: A Christmas Carol
Guy Masterson's one-man production seen in Boscastle
5

Most Popular Stories

Viewings over the last 10 days
 
Birmingham Royal Ballet - Black Sabbath
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 13th Oct 23 :: 145 views
And Then There Were None
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 6th Mar 24 :: 108 views
The Life of Pi
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 7th Mar 24 :: 100 views
The Motive and the Cue
Live broadcast seen at the Regal Cinema, Wadebridge.
Posted 22nd Mar 24 :: 97 views
The Drifters Girl
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 15th Feb 24 :: 93 views
Cable Street
Seen at the Southwark Playhouse, Borough.
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 93 views
Musclebound
Seen at The Front Room, Weston-super-Mare
Posted 5th Mar 24 :: 91 views
Macbeth
English Touring Theatre (ETT) production seen in Worthing,
Posted 12th Mar 24 :: 82 views
Carlos Acosta - On Before
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 28th Feb 24 :: 68 views
Marry Me A Little
Seen at The Stage Door Theatre, Drury Lane
Posted 2nd Mar 24 :: 62 views


Listings powered by Dynamic Listing Ltd
Mastodon X - Twitter Multidomain certificate installed
© Dynamic Listing Ltd, UK. 1995-2024