Craving a slice of Northern charm? Then look no further than the borough of Southwark, and to the cast of Betty Blue Eyes, currently appearing at the Union Theatre!
The show, created by George Styles and Anthony Drewe first appeared in London’s West End at the Novello Theatre back in 2011, starring Sarah Lancashire and Reece Shearsmith. Now, the wholesome tale returns to one of London’s most beloved fringe theatre venues with this small-scale revival directed by Sasha Regan.
With shortages of food, financial troubles and burdens, and a Royal occasion on the horizon, you’d almost think that this tale is set in April 2023! The difference? In this tale, the only thing people will be pigging out on is spam! Oh, and did I mention? At the story's heart is an adorable pig with sapphire blue eyes called Betty... and no, I’m not telling porkies!
As a proud Northerner and regular seat filler at the Union Theatre, I was keen to snap up a ticket to Press Night to witness the show's first revival first-hand. When stepping through the theatre threshold time machine back to England in 1947, I was instantly impressed with how the space had been transformed to create an effective, and multi-purpose backdrop for this tale. For such an intimate venue, the creative team must be commended for their design.The cast, which was surprisingly vast in size beams with enthusiasm, wit, and passion. Whilst some cast members tended to ham it up a little too much (pun intended!) and could benefit from dialling down energy to find greater depth and peaks and valleys in the tone of the show, I can’t fault the commitment displayed, and their clear love and celebration for their art. Due to this energy, at times elements of the performance felt somewhat rushed or unsure, however, I have no doubt that once the cast gets into a collaborative rhythm, they will be able to lean into the sentiment of the story fully.
A true stand out for the show are leads Sam Kipling (Gilbert Chilvers) and Amelia Atherton (Joyce Chilvers), each of whom delivered stellar performances, and acted as the charming nostalgic glue that held the cast together delightfully. Credit, in particular, must be given to their vocals, which blended beautifully in unison and packed a punch as a standalone.
Additionally, credit should be given to George Dawes (Mr Noble/Sutcliffe) who effectively delivered multiple roles with versatility, humour, and shining characterisation.During the performance, there were a few technical difficulties, in particular with sound and lighting. Personally, this is something I have grown to expect in a fringe space, and I feel it somewhat adds to the rough and ready charm of an off-West End fringe production. However, in full company numbers, I think the production could benefit from revisiting the placement of lead vocalists, and there were multiple occasions where I sadly missed lyrics due to competing backing vocals and the band.
Overall, the production is an appealing treat, with highlights of elegance, campery, humour and an abundance of zest. It is a shining example of how large-scale musicals can be successfully adapted and reimagined for small stages, yet still, carry key messages and themes throughout. If you fancy your fill of fringe theatre, head on down to visit Betty!
Review by Adam Tipping
Rating: ★★★
Price of Ticket: £25
