Glorious!

Florence Foster Jenkins.  The name may in itself create images in your mind of a woman with big dreams; delusional dreams, pure, utter enthusiasm and self-belief and a voice that made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end….  for all the wrong reasons.

In 2016 the self-titled movie starring Meryl Streep introduced this remarkable woman to many Australians.  Ms. Streep, in her own inimitable fashion, presented this life force with authenticity and sincerity, earning herself yet another Oscar nomination.  Co-starring Hugh Grant, its popularity was assured and a star was born.

Glorious! brings Florence to the Chester Street stage, larger than life and portrayed with every bit as much enthusiasm, commitment and sincerity by Kate Mannix, an actor who herself has an impressive CV of theatre and television appearances in the UK and Australia.

With a man down, Chester Street was forced to cancel the Friday night performance, however, in the spirit of ‘the show must go on’ the Saturday night performance went ahead with Clive Hobson on book, making an outstanding effort in the role of St Clair, Florence’s dear friend and confidante.

I truly believe theatre audiences love to see this sort of thing – an actor thrown in at the last minute, script in hand – how will this go?  It really did add to the thoroughly entertaining performance this audience enjoyed.

The show opens with the arrival of Cosme (James Miller-Argue) meeting our Florence for the first time, hoping to be her accompanist on piano.  The pace was a little slow to get underway however, Madame created an air of dignity amidst her reverie of talent and Cosme found himself caught up in her delusions of grandeur.  Maria (Maria Andrews) the housekeeper makes her presence known with Spanish diatribes and cups of tea.

Dorothy (Christine Rule), friend and neighbour to Florence, brings a wonderfully eccentric energy to the story with her outrageous fashion sense, her beloved little dog, Ricky, and a New York accent Cyndi Lauper would be proud of.

The set, designed by director Tracey Okeby-Lucan, created the artistic chaos crucial to presenting Florence in all her glory – flowers everywhere, too much furniture and a spectacular wardrobe selection at her fingertips. 

A particularly creative strategy on a somewhat limited stage was the use of a gilded frame where projections depicted 1940s New York during scene changes, bringing a touch of historic reality to the fantasy world inhabited by Florence.

The second act sees the highlight of Florence’s career realized.  Enter Mrs. Johnstone (Carla Moore) determined to bring this fraud of a singer down and out.  Moore’s performance was powerful, purposeful and the complete antithesis of those who surrounded and supported Florence.  Her time on stage brought drama and tension to the scenes, and more than a little irony and pathos.  I’m even going to give a shout out to the Radio Announcer (Phil Lye), whose voiceover had an authenticity to yesteryear, worthy of kudos.

Costuming, particularly of Florence, was outstanding, with her final creation a real showstopper.

James Miller-Argue, who may have commenced the show a little falteringly, finished strongly with an emotional closing address summing up Florence Foster Jenkins perfectly. Her life and times were indeed Glorious!

Annette Snars

www.theatreonchester.com.au