Glorious!

Therry’s latest offering, Glorious! pays homage to the surprisingly successful career of the late Florence Foster Jenkins. Playwright Peter Quilter journeys through the later part of her success in the 1940s leading up to her sold-out show at Carnegie Hall.

What makes Jenkins’ story so unique is the enthusiasm and confidence she possessed despite her lack of talent; she is remembered by many as ‘the worst opera singer who ever lived’- or died…pun intended.

Sue Wylie does a fine job in replicating Jenkins’ screeching vocals; she captures the over-confident and eccentric American with conviction.

The play opens with Jenkins interviewing a new pianist, Cosme McMoon (Jock Dunbar). Dunbar creates a character with a nervous and quietly spoken demeanour, a lovely contrast to the boisterous Jenkins.

In what would have to be a first for this reviewer, on the night I attended, the set drew early applause as it spun to reveal Jenkins’ apartment. Ole Wiebkin’s set shows creative flair and unfolds like a well-rehearsed dance.

A strong ensemble cast includes a frustrated Italian maid Maria (Laura Antoniazzi), ditzy neighbour Dorothy (Jenny Penny), aspiring British actor St Clair (Stuart Pearce), New York society matron Mrs Verrinderr-Gedge (Julia Whittle) and the taxi driver (Denzil Thomas), who Jenkins credits with increasing her vocal range. All capture their roles with verve, but this a vehicle for the leading lady. She is quite literally the punch line of the play.

Director Geoff Brittain does his best with a script that is laboured at times. Some dialogue is predictable but draws the necessary laughs when needed.

Although the script is long, you never truly feel that you know Jenkins’ motivation for her chosen path or why she remained clueless to her lack of talent.

Wonderful use of projections by Ray Cullen add depth, while costumes by Gillian Cordell are hilariously absurd.

For an accomplished singer such as Wylie to sing so badly is a triumph for her. One can only hope she does not improve as the season continues.

Kerry Cooper