LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE | STAGE REVIEW
New Theatre, Cardiff, Wed 11 Sept
The recent surge of musical adaptations of popular cinema presents a challenge to each new adaptation to demonstrate a unique emotional or theatrical impact that was lacking from the original. Little Miss Sunshine, a gritty story of a dysfunctional family learning to reject an ideal life in favour of imperfection, does not adapt well to the polished, shiny tone of musical theatre.
Despite a cast of determined actors – each sporting a powerful and resonating singing voice – and entertaining, fast-paced stage-choreography, the piece suffers from the writing. Shifting the focus more onto the comedic potential of the story, Mark Moraghan earns his top-billing well as Grandpa Hoover, bringing stage presence and balancing his warm, paternal tone with raunchy comedy. He is followed closely behind by Lucy O’Byrne (as Sheryl) working hard to inject real feeling into the script. Composer William Finn’s rich, melodic score shows experience and comedic form.
Yet even whilst copying the original script often word-for-word, the genuine tragedy of some scenes is undercut by a deeply unfortunate – and rather questionable – prissy, camp version of the character of Uncle Frank. As the only gay character in the family, Frank was portrayed in the original film as the educated voice in the car. In this production, Frank steps into the role of comedy-relief with awkward ‘jokes’ which amount only to clichéd camp or effeminate behaviours, depriving the show of serious drama at the most crucial moments.
The focus on comedy hampers the performance yet further in the second half. The show spends large amounts of time that could be used on character development indulging in awkward, pantomime-like humour. Imelda Warren-Green, still managing to demonstrate a fantastically powerful voice and her position as possibly the best singer in the cast, is forced into awkward, lengthy comedic routines that lack any real punchline.
Little Miss Sunshine offers a fun atmosphere of a Broadway musical with immersed performances against a backdrop of bright colours and jaunty musical numbers, and the occasional well-paced emotional moment. However, any audience member attending in hope of witnessing the thematic strength, grit or human quality of the original is likely to be disappointed and would be advised to get out at the same point as Grandpa: before the second half.
words FELIX JONES
Little Miss Sunshine is at the New Theatre until Sat 14 Sept. Tickets and info here.