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Two Ladies: La Bella Bimba at Barons Court Theatre / Canal Cafe Theatre

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T hey sing. They dance. They clown around. They even wash clothes! Such is the story of La Bella Bimba, part of the Voila Theatre Festival, which highlights new and emerging artists. A tale of two Italian ladies who land in 1920s New York, trying to break into Broadway without speaking a word of English. It’s harmless, primarily even if a little nonsensical, and is currently playing as part of the Voila! Theatre Festival .  I caught the performance at the Barons Court Theatre , where the intimate setting created an evocative atmosphere reminiscent of dark New York alleyways. The space was almost claustrophobic with a distinct smell of rising damp, making you feel immersed in the story of two Ladies hanging around the theatre doors of Broadway. On the plus side, the theatre has some of the most comfortable seats you will find in any pub theatre in London. As the naive and hopeful singers, Co-creator Lucrezia Galeone as Carlotta and Sarah Silvestri as Cecilia are fine singers with co...

Smokes and parasites: A Princess Undone @ParkTheatre

It’s a hot and stormy August evening, and Princess Margaret is on a mission in A Princess Undone. The trouble is, with so much reverence for the subject - and not much of a mission - it’s hard to see the drama (or comedy) in this piece by Richard Stirling. It’s currently playing at Park Theatre.

It’s August 1993. Most of the Royals are at Balmoral. Princess Margaret is at Kensington Palace with the Queen Mother’s steward William Tallon (also played by Stirling). After clearing out correspondence from the Queen Mother’s rooms in Clarence House they’re getting ready to burn it. 

The trouble is Princess Michael of Kent is watching them. And they aren’t too sure if Diana has slipped out for a night of playing catch with the paparazzi. And some boy is claiming to have information on her liaisons with underworld figure John Bindon.

The premise sounds like it could be a farce exploring the world of the royals and the sycophants that surround them. But too often the punches are pulled and we’re left with a drama rather than a romp. Which is too bad since it would be much more fun to laugh at all the fuss about nothing. 

Most of the secrets being burnt would be let out by a succession of books and people lining up to sell their stories to the press. The piece points out Princess Margaret’s drinking, drugs and sexual escapades were eclipsed by the next generation of squidgy and toe-sucking royals. But there was still much to find mirth in the princess without a point. A royal with a title and no purpose. Other than to have a few streets named after her and a string of lovers of dubious reputation.

Throughout the play much is also made about the Gasworks, the Chelsea spot where many of the characters frequented. You could be forgiven thinking it was a glamour spot rather than some grim place run by eccentrics serving up indelible food.

Felicity Dean as Princess Margaret looks the part with her big hair and chain smoking. Too bad she isn’t allowed to be nastier, funnier and dirtier in this piece. Afterall, that’s what would make us feel there’s a little Princess Margaret in all of us.

Directed by Jonny Kelly, A Princess Undone is at Park Theatre until 17 March.

⭐️⭐️⭐️


Production photos by Simon Annand

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