Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Theatre Royal Plymouth Review
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
20-25 June 2016
Reviewed by Linda Pickford
I was thrilled to be able to go and see Pixie Lott as Holly Golightly in the new Breakfast at Tiffany’s production. Although a fan of the film version I knew that this would be quite a different take on the story.
Holly was a good time girl escaping a poor and unhappy background. She told so many stories about her background that no one was sure of the truth anymore. Enter “Fred” an impoverished writer who moved into an apartment above her. He was intrigued by her lifestyle and slowly came under her spell.
This play is quite a dark version showing Holly in all her moods including one of dark red depression. She holds onto thoughts of a promised life with breakfast at Tiffany’s store as her lodestone. One of her many ways of earning easy money is by visiting a notorious gangster in Sing Sing prison once a week and passing on “weather reports” to his so called lawyer. This of course leads to arrest and imprisonment later in the story.
This is not a musical but Pixie does sing three songs which do add greatly to her performance. I particularly enjoyed her version of Moon River. On the whole she coped well with her accent changing from country girl to New Yorker as required. She was active and vibrant throughout with many costume changes.
Matt Baker playing “Fred” was excellent and certainly his acting skills kept the story moving. It is a very wordy play and at times I did have problems following every nuance but the overall effect wasn’t spoilt.
It was a delight to see Victor McGuire again. I remember him so well in Bread and Goodnight Sweetheart. Although his contribution to the story was small it was essential. As indeed were the very amusing movements on and off stage of “The cat with no name”.
On the whole I enjoyed this version of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. One just has to remember that it is not the sanitised film version but a story of 1930’s American depression and life during World War II.
Plymouth is very lucky to have such a brilliant theatre at the heart of its city. It is easily reached by public transport or private car. The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable.
A lovely night out.
Rating: 3/5
Tickets cost from £19 to £39 (booking fees may apply).
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth until 25 June 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01752 267222.
Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR | 01752 267222
