“Glorious”, which is running at Hope Mill Theatre until March 30th, tells the true story of the worst singer in the world: Florence Foster Jenkins. Not being able to sing didn’t for a second deter her from following her passion for doing so, taking on the most difficult arias in the operatic repertoire, and rendering them in her unique style. It is glorious indeed.
Parody can be difficult to achieve, and it’s best done when the person delivering it is skilled. Think of Les Dawson on the piano, or Jack Benny and his violin. Wendi Peters, who plays Florence, obviously can sing but tonight she beautifully transmogrified each piece with affection. She is ably supported by her long-suffering pianist Cosmé McMoon (Charlie Hiscock) who plays very well. Rounding out the cast, Anita Booth plays 3 different people (Florence’s cook Maria, her friend Dorothy, and her nemesis Mrs Verrinder Gedge) excellently. Full marks and 5 stars to all for a truly accomplished evening
We start with Cosmé’s introduction to Florence and his bewilderment when she sings for him is palpable. He hangs on in there though, and next he’s accompanying her in the recording studio which ends the first half triumphantly. In the second part we hear Florence performing for her Ladies Guilds, and rebutting Mrs Verrinder Gedge before her final victory at Carnegie Hall singing the Queen of the Night’s aria “gloriously”. It’s an amazing achievement that sadly proved to be her last as she died just a month later.
Happily, she left various recordings for future generations to enjoy and here she is in full flow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6ubiUIxbWE&ab_channel=guera3001. In her own words: “They can say that I can’t sing, but they can’t say that I didn’t sing” Amen to that.
We also saved money at the bar with our CANAL ST CARD to top it all off.
Go along to Hope Mill for a truly memorable evening.
Paul Schofield for Ancoats Plus
