(seen at the afternoon performance on 22nd October 2023)
This is easily the most Brtish musical the monkey has seen in years. Celebrating Neasden’s greatest export of the 1960s in quintessential fashion – irreverence, deference, and a wicked sense of satire, plus some all-time classic songs, stupendous period outfits (fabulous colour tights – Jonathan Lipman working wonders with outfits) and a cast that never quits pulling surprises.
You could be forgiven for thinking the story of a 15-year-old girl who shot to fame in 1967 based on a single head-shot photograph that defined a decade would be thin gruel for a full musical.
Ben Elton however expands it into a celebration of female liberation with plenty of trenchant observations of what was, and what still is in the distance, required before women get anything like the equality and respect men take for granted.
We get an exploration of mental health, addiction, exploitation – financial, emotional and sexual; but most of all a tale of courage, determination and the good fortune that Lesley Hornby’s loving parents instilled in her a self-worth that saw her through the very best and worst of three decades.
Brilliant choices of music appropriate to the time, plus a side-splitting re-write of “Right Said Fred” augment Elton’s sure direction, which knows when to pause for laughter as well as tears and matches his writing as it builds to a surprising and unexpected conclusion.
Timothy Bird gives us a model’s background roll centre stage, on which Tim Blazdell projects nicely chosen extracts of Twiggy’s career and atmospheric stills of the times. A few simple blocks and furniture rolled on and off are enough to take us through this helter-skelter of life in London, Los Angeles, New York and more.
Working overtime on period as well, Jacob Fearey has the ensemble having terrific fun with the moves of various eras, jiving, bopping, some Broadway of course and never letting up on the energy.
In the leading role, Elena Skye more than fulfils her promise in “We Will Rock You” earlier in the year. She has Twiggy’s eye mannerisms down, a sympathetic and grounded young woman growing up in seconds, with a belting voice and irresistible irrepressible stage presence marking her surely as a key West End musical theatre performer.
Around her there are equally magnificent performances. Devoted parents Norman and Nell (Steven Serlin and Hannah-Jane Fox) have the vocals, the moves and the character. Fox finds steel in her tragic life, while Serlin is the father everybody would wish for – and a witty impersonator to boot.
Key friends and sisters Cindy, Sally and Kay (Aoife Dunne, Beth Devine and Lauren Azania AJ King-Yoombo) build their own roles hilariously, optimism and pessimism as they too grow up, with King-Yoombo’s witty commentary on the less savoury aspects of showbiz a particular highlight. A delight whenever any of them take a scene.
As the men in Twiggy’s life, Matt Corner has shyster Justin de Villeneuve as purple in cheek as his shirt. He knows how to play a crowd and make a rogue loveable.
Darren Day’s Michael Witney, husband and alcoholic also makes the most of a sad tale, with a perfect and moving vocal.
A show stronger than “Dreamboats and Petticoats” but appealing to those who enjoyed the period music in that and and willing to accept a little more language and politics. This should certainly be looking for a national tour and a West End home.
An uplifting yet weightier than it appears evening, that does the Queen of Neasden (her mum’s words, and she has the photo with the King to justify it) proud.
5 stars. Standing ovation given.