Show: 2Gorgeous4U
Event: Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021
Location: Bombed Out Church, Liverpool
Date: Wednesday 1st September 2021
Time: 20.00
Running Time: 70 Minutes
Age Rating: 14+
Performers: Lynne Fitzgerald
Production Company: Bill Elms Associates
Writer: Mark Davies Markham
Director: James Baker
This is our theatre review for 2Gorgeous4U at Liverpool‘s Bombed Out Church. Now, this is the first show of Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021. So, let’s take a look at 2Gorgeous4U.
2Gorgeous4U
Synopsis
We meet Clare, a beautician who owns her own Spa and Treatment Room in Waterloo. And she is more than happy being single, though she has online dating profiles just in case. Indeed, her sole desire in her life is to own a wet room. Now, back in the Britpop heyday of the 1990s, she was one half of a pop duo. This band was 2Gorgeous4U, and she would sing alongside her best friend Tina. And they would be wild, but they would fall out acrimoniously. So, what will happen when a request comes in for the duo to reform at a music festival in Liverpool? Will they be able to put the past behind them and move on? And what is the reason for their falling out in the first place?
Analysis
As the first show of Liverpool Theatre Festival there was a buzz around the Bombed Out Church. It was good to be back. The stage was set and the show started with a solo performance of one half of 2Gorgeous4U, a sign of things to come. We first meet Clare; instantly relatable and played with conviction by Lynne Fitzgerald. She introduces us to her business and we get an insight into her life (seemingly smooth) but as she tries to achieve a peaceful, zen afternoon her phone stops her from doing so. Here is where we see FItzgerald at her best. Her ability to move from character to character is flawless. This would be a common theme throughout the show.
We discover more about Clare, her past as a half of a singing duo which reached the dizzy heights of Top Of The Pops, her current job and her repetitively unfilled love life. An opportunity arises where the possibility of a 2Gorgeous4U resurgence is floated. An opportunity to get back onstage, live the dream, but Clare instantly pushes it away. We can tell she’s been hurt by past events surrounding Tina (other half of 2Gorgeous4U) and this begins our plot.
Along the way of finding out more about the breakdown of 2Gorgeous4U we meet Clare’s daughter, Clare’s Mum, a pushy ex-agent, Clare’s doddering neighbour and her menu of dates for the evening. The dating scene was the highlight of the show. Relatable and well executed, I’m sure most women in the audience can draw comparisons to their own experience. I know I can! Fitzgerald flows to each character so easily, it’s refreshing to watch.
The plot gets less about discovering the cause of 2Gorgeous4U’s demise and more about Clare and her journey through self discovery. The playlist of this show helped to set the scene and furthermore, was well themed. Giving us melodic relief, punctuating the scenes.
We do discover the reason behind why 2Gorgeous4U went their separate ways. I won’t give away any spoilers but needless to say, the show ends with a refreshing look at forgiveness and a warming and heartfelt speech with some very true life lessons that can be taken away.
Summary
A great piece of theatre and what a way to start the Liverpool Theatre Festival. This play is excellently written by Mark Davies Markham it’s full of warmth, wit and laugh out loud comedy moments. With the excellent direction of James Baker, Fitzgerald brings her natural storytelling ability front and centre.
Notes
Target Audience: 14+
Content: Moderate sexual references
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 8.5/10 – Excellent
2Gorgeous4U Further Links
Liverpool Theatre Festival is running at The Bombed Out Church until September 12th. So, to purchase tickets for any of those shows, please click here.
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