Combining the sweet with the unsavoury, this biographical musical places Al Jolson’s music in the context of his egotistical, womanising and sometimes violent personality, which - with measured direction by Ed Curtis - results in a production that is both entertaining and interesting.
Allan Stewart demonstrates skilful mimicry as Jolson - being interviewed at the Winter Garden theatre in 1949 for live transmission of the Barry Gray radio show. He works the audience well, but brings too much of himself - particularly his pantomime dame Auntie May and her flat-footed dancing - which doesn’t help, nor does the lack of any whistling.
However, when the time frame slips back into Jolson’s memories, Stewart convinces in his creation of a personality - particularly the darker side. Without blacking-up he succeeds in putting Jolson’s use of black-face in the context of the era and his personal fight against racial prejudice.
Donna Steele is excellent in her creation of all the female roles. Her portrayal of the likes of Mae West and Jolson’s several wives puts flesh on the bones of the unsavoury side of his personality. Christopher Howell is also strong in the male roles, from his Poppa, to brother Harry and various producer types, helping convey why Jolson might have been quite so resolutely self-centred.
Simple but effective design by Morgan Large, crisp leadership from Greg Arrowsmith of the excellent eight-piece band, strong arrangements by Gary Hind, stunning wigs by Linda McKnight and a fine sense of pace from Curtis all contribute to a convincing production.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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