Featured image: Helena Blackman (front) and Ben Stock (back) as Gertrude Lawrence and Noël Coward. Photograph: Annabel Vere. Courtesy of Kevin Wilson PR.
Rating: ***
Noël Coward fans will be delighted by Noel & Gertie, a biographical play about the playwright and his friend, the actor Gertrude Lawrence, devised by Sheridan Morley based on his biographical work of the pair. The show consists of a collection of songs and excerpts from some of Coward’s plays, constructing a careful and amusing study of the impeccable duo.
Ben Stock and Helena Blackman excel as they play Coward and Lawrence under the careful direction of Thom Southerland, whose stage is charming and exudes the swath of velvet-clad glamour of the early 1900s theatre scene, albeit minimally. The songs are chosen to compliment Coward and Lawrence’s history rather than to create an anthology of favourites, giving the show a more depth than the campy sing-a-long it could have been. At times, however, the performance feels a little too academic in trying to construct a comprehensive account of the duo’s partnership. The fatal flaw here is that it tries to emulate Coward’s and Lawrence’s talent, razor wit, and rapport on stage, which is something that is arguably close to impossible. That’s not to say that Stock and Blackman don’t give it a damn good try – but even at the points where they do well, you might be left feeling that they’re trying a little too hard.
Both Stock and Blackman are seasoned performers, however, and the best moments of the show are when they perform by themselves. Stock’s rendition of Mrs. Worthington was uproarious, capturing Coward’s tongue in cheek zeal quite wonderfully. At the same time, he managed to convey eloquent melancholy in I Travel Alone. Likewise, Blackman’s performance of Sail Away held a sombre yet lyrical quality that was captivating. Essentially, though, the performance does lack some chemistry and, as confident as Stock is by himself, next to Blackman he does seem somewhat overshadowed by the latter’s prowess.
A particular shame here is the use of a recorded piano soundtrack for some numbers. The quality of the recording not as polished as it could be, but the real issue with it is that the use of the prepared music saps the spontaneity demanded by Coward’s music. Here the music leads the performers rather than the other way around. Indeed, the musical numbers that are the most enchanting are when Stock himself is at the piano.
But that’s not to say that the show is a let down. Overall, it’s a sweet and enjoyable two hours with plenty of lovely little moments. Coward enthusiasts will no doubt lap this up, but there’s enough here to keep everyone else entertained.
Noel & Gertie plays at the Cockpit Theatre, London, NW8 8EH, until 22 October 2011. Tickets are £17 (concessions £12). To book, phone 020 7258 2925 or visit www.thecockpit.org.uk.
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