Having seen the film, we were wondering how "Little Voice" would translate onto the stage. The scene was set as soon as we entered the auditorium which was transformed into a busy, northern working men's club, complete with compere telling jokes, people issuing raffle tickets and standing round chatting. Once the raffle had been drawn and the prize given out, the compere left the stage, the house lights went down and Little Voice began.
In fact, the production works extremely well live with inspired scenery that goes easily from the front room, kitchen, stairs and bedroom of the house Little Voice shares with her Mother and the most amazing sound system - that takes us seamlessly from Little Voice's almost whispering to her full-blown belting out of Bassey, Streisand, Garland, Lulu, Tina Turner, Edith Piaf and more numbers - and very clever scene change (very brief) interludes, harking back to the working men's club with brilliant lights and music. The final scene is incredibly, breathtakingly believable.
A really delightful and original touch is the fact that the audience is very definitely part of this production, immediately becoming the club members and their friends - you need to take raffle tickets offered (they are not sold but given to you) and bingo cards and yes there really is a raffle draw and a live game of bingo - with hilarious audience interaction - so don't forget your pens!
Multi-talented Jess Robinson is amazing in the title role of Little Voice as she works her way through the voices of her dead Father's favourite Diva Singers towards finding her own voice, Beverley Callard is excellent and very amusing as LV's Mother, Philip Andrew gives a great performance as a persuasive Rae Say, Mum's agent/boy friend who tries to get LV launched into show business against her will. Ray Quinn sensitively plays the part of the young telephone engineer who tries to save LV and Blackpool's own Duggie Brown is incredible as the Workingmen's Club compere and the older telephone engineer. The play is superbly directed by Jim Cartwright.
Mention has to be made of Sadie - the family's loyal, faithful friend and neighbour - she may not have had a lot to say but she certainly made up for it with body language and facial expressions - brilliant.
Definitely a MUST SEE The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is on at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool until Saturday, 24th November 2012. PLEASE GO AND SEE IT - a real pre-Christmas treat. Our thanks as always to everyone involved in this wonderful production from the cast on stage to the production team and the sound and lighting engineers and all the staff at the Grand Theatre both front of house and behind the scenes as well as the Friends of the Grand.
For the fastest way to book tickets for any show visit The Grand’s brand new interactive website www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk where you can now select your own seat! Alternatively call the Box Office on 01253 74 33 39
