COME BACK TO THE 5 AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN to 18 October 2009.
London.
COME BACK TO THE 5 AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN
by Ed Gruczyk.
Upstairs At The Gatehouse Highgate Village N6 4BD to 18 October 2009.
Tue–Sat 8pm Mat Sun 4pm.
Runs 2hr 10min. One interval.
TICKETS: 020 8340 3488.
www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
Review: Geoff Ambler 25 September 2009.
Delightful characters light up small town America.
A show popular with drama schools due to its predominantly female cast has found its way Upstairs at The Gatehouse following a recent RADA performance that excited both John and Katie Plews. Who were so impressed that they invited two of the RADA team into this Highgate production.
Within a fading red, white and chrome diner, in a five and dime store, set in the fictitious town of McCarthy, six old friends, the disciples of James Dean (a fan club that defines fanatical) meet on the twentieth anniversary of the actor’s death. Proceedings split between 1955 when young Mona and Joe tell the story of their visit to the filming of the movie Giant and 1975 when Mona and 5 and Dime owner Juanita prepare for the disciples’ reunion. To recount too much plot would be to temper the magic that director John Plews has woven throughout the play as revelations, twists and lies all collude to become a fascinating story of small town folk in a dying, drought-blighted town.
it’s filled with captivating performances; The Gatehouse has assembled a remarkable company. Notably, Coren Fitzgerald as meek, humble, ever-pregnant Edna Louise who sits bemused on the sidelines watching proceedings, is thoroughly enchanting and delivers some wonderful parting lines that define familial happiness. Adrienne Matzen as 1975’s Mona is a sharp contrast to the effervescent youth from 1955. Dowdy and troubled, she is uneasy in the company of her returning friends and clutches to the one moment that defines her life, the love of the actor she claims met her just before his death, who fathered her son, the Jimmy Dean in the title.
Jimmy Dean is a wonderfully written, compelling play in which scenes illuminating Mona’s life and character are crafted out of brief conversations, so that piece by piece we discover a life wasted in adoration of an actor who died young. In the midst of Piera Lizzeri’s magnificent set, events that shaped the lives of Mona and Joe culminate in the reunion, truths are told and people move on and every moment is an utter joy.
Juanita: Jenny Marlowe.
Mona (1975): Adrienne Matzen.
Mona (1955): Fiona Drummond.
Sissy (1975): Julie Rose Smith.
Sissy (1955): Catherine Nix-Collins.
Stella May: Kathryn Georghiou.
Edna Louise: Coren Fitzgerald.
Joanne: Eleanor Boyce.
Joe: Josh Boyd Rochford.
Director: John Plews.
Designer/Costume: Piera Lizzeri.
Lighting: Lawrence Stromski.
Sound: Cate Digirolamo.
Music/Staging: Katherine Hare, Racky Plews.
2009-09-28 10:38:27