Skip to review
#Other
Theatre
2/5
By Fringebiscuit

The Twittique / TL;DR
Revisiting forgotten star Carol White's cinematic legacy, Ewen Moore script evokes hints of #SunsetBoulevard 's melancholy. Yet, the songs break the spell, leaning more toward modern cabaret than the swinging 60s, while a muddled timeline clouds the narrative.
Meet ✨Carol White✨ - a starlet who once dazzled the film industry before plunging into obscurity📽️ "Battersea Bardot" seeks to reacquaint us with this forgotten gem of the Swinging Sixties, retracing her dynamic journey from the gritty #London scrapyards to the glittering screens of #Hollywood…🎭Directed by Elizabeth Huskisson, the production undeniably gives Carol a voice once again. The narrative, rich in its exploration, delves into Carol's relationships—from torrid affairs with cinematic legends like #FrankSinatra to her tender ties with family—all painting a stark picture of the challenges faced by women in the limelight…Yet, the play's expansive canvas sometimes stretches too thin. Though billed as a musical, it often seems an uneasy fit. Carol White's life story, rife with dramatic highs & lows, appears confined by the choice of genre. Ewen Moore's compositions, veering more towards cabaret than a genuine '60s rhythm, seem out of sync with Carol's stirring tale🔀 Moreover, the narrative's leapfrogging timeline—from 1991's tragedy back to a fateful 1969 evening and further into memory lanes—occasionally leaves one feeling adrift amidst Carol's intense recollections📆📆📍However, there's no denying the palpable heart of Carol's tale; she’s a woman grappling with her past, fighting to reclaim her narrative amidst the ghosts that haunt her. The melancholy tone evokes shades of "Sunset Boulevard" or even #TennesseeWilliams' tragic heroines, vainly battling against a world eager to forget them…"Battersea Bardot" is a sincere tribute to a forgotten luminary. It’s a meaty tale, rich in potential, yet missing key notes in execution.
Filed from
Other
with a Biscuit rating of
2/5
Newsletter
A sharp little digest of reviews, trends, soundbites, and theatre gossip worth chewing on.


