Gypsy Review
Clearly Gypsy had something to live up to.
The story follows a young mother and her two daughters, one apparently
musically talented and the other not. Mother pushes the first into
musical theatre to the point where the poor girl runs away. Daughter
number two talented or not is pushed in the same direction. She,
however, finds her talents lie in another direction, as a stripper
in burlesque.
Emma Southorn gave an absolutely outstanding performance as Rose.
It was difficult to catch one's breath as she sped along dictating
to all and sundry. The final scene, during which she tries to recapture
her youth was highly charged and the whole audience could feel
her anguish.
Mark Bolkonsky (perhaps better know for his WYSPA performances)
played the romantic love interest, Rose's paramour, and was splendidly
cast for the role. His performance was professional and in character
throughout.
Freya Thurton, playing the young June, is clearly a star in the
making. At ten years old, she simply lit up the stage with her
confidence and intuitive awareness of timing and space keep an
eye out for her.
It is difficult to select any better performances than the three
mentioned above but I do believe Jenny Dewar just pips the others
to the post. Totally believable as the 'other daughter', she developed
her character magnificently to end up as the famous Gypsy Rose
Lee. Her's was one of the best performances I have seen this year.
New Penny Theatre is a shining new star in the firmament High
Wycombe theatre, its aims being (among others) to provide 'high-quality,
non-professional theatre productions within the Wycombe district'.
They've made a great start.
Archie Wilson
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