Theatre / georgia may foote
Review: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Hippodrome
This might not be the show you are expecting. It’s not much like the movie that starred Audrey Hepburn, and it’s not much like Truman Capote’s original novella – allegedly inspired by his relationship with Marilyn Monroe, his personal choice to play Holly Golightly in the film version (we can only imagine how that might have turned out).
That’s not to say that this stage version is bad – just different. It’s not a light, glamourous, fluffy, upbeat piece – rather, it is extremely dark around the edges and full of angst. And boy is there a lot of talking.
Holly is played by Georgia May Foote, an established television veteran with a C.V. that includes Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Casualty and Strictly. Her leading man is the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School-trained Matt Barber as Fred, the story’s narrator who is intrigued by, but not quite in love with, Holly despite her mysterious past and murky present. Fred, a character not even named by Capote, is well aware of how shallow and ghastly Holly can be – yet, like Nick Carraway in thrall to Gatsby, he can’t escape her either. That’s what this piece is all about and it is often a difficult watch.
is needed now More than ever
Matthew Wright’s set designs perfectly evoke period New York, and the musical numbers (including Mancini and Mercer’s sublime Moon River) set a wistful tone that suggests Holly might have a soul after all.
There are also two important, very well-acted smaller parts. Victor McGuire turns in a masterful Joe the barman, who constantly struggles to show Holly how much he adores her. You just have to believe that if someone like Joe loves Holly she must have something good inside.
And then there’s Robert Calvert as Doc, around whom the whole play pivots. I’m giving nothing away, I hope, by saying that he delivers the biggest (and most moving) moment of the evening. His character drops a bombshell at the end of Act One – after which nothing is ever the same.
This Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a serious piece that demands to be taken seriously. Put any preconceptions behind you and discover a new and refreshing interpretation.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s continues at the Hippodrome until Saturday, 1 October. For more info and to book tickets, visit www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-taming-of-the-shrew/bristol-hippodrome