Glorious

‘Glorious!’ by Peter Quilter, is showing Downstairs at His Maj each evening at 7.30. 8.30 on Friday and Saturday until Saturday 31^st May.

This is a true story, based on 70+ yrs old ‘Madam’ (as she was known) Florence Foster Jenkins. A New York heiress, who despite having one of the worst singing voices in history, wanted to be an operatic diva.

It is 1944 at Madam Jenkins’ (Jenny McNae) apartment, where Irish pianist Cosme McMoon (Benj D’Addario) arrives for an audition. He plays one tune and on hearing, Florence’s voice immediately decides to quit. He is drawn back by money and an instant affection for the lady. Florence shares her flat with her dippy companion, Dorothy, and an obnoxious Mexican maid who speaks no English (both parts Monica Main - hilarious).

Foster Jenkins massacred many of the great the classics. Florence’s claim to fame was not that she could not sing, because her stage presence was outstanding, just that she just could not sing in key – in fact, she was totally unaware of being tone-deaf. Encouraged by her pianist Cosme McMoon, and a devoted following of friends and admirers, Jenkins made several recordings at the ‘Melotone’ Studios. At her Annual Balls, she weeded-out potential ‘critics’ by interviewing all attendees in person, before giving renditions of her latest recordings. She wore stunning, but outrageous costumes (Claude Marcos). Can she follow her dream and play to a sell-out concert in the 3,000 seat Carnegie Hall?

Florence’s song delivery was powerful, filled with charisma and affection, but the discord!

The direction by Jenny McNae and Alan Becher was filled with subtle humour and the egotistical movements of so many Divas. The play’s audience, in an almost pantomime fashion, reacted beautifully to Florence’s delivery and routine.

The lighting (Matt Marshall) and sound (Cheeky and Roly Skender) were well thought out.

I was most apprehensive at the thought of seeing a play about a woman, who could not sing in tune, but this show was filled with humour, superbly delivered dialogue and characters filled with charm. A magnificent cast, with Jenny proving that she is still one of WA’s treasures. A surprisingly uplifting and magnetism filled presentation.