The Archives: A birthday treat

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

11^th July 2009 at the Little Theatre, Sheringham

Cast

LV … Caroline Keiff

Mari … Fiz Marcus

Ray Say … Charlie Buckland

Billy … Brett Lee Roberts

Sadie … Donna Combe

Mr. Boo/Phone Man … Alistair Scott

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Our viewing of 'The Rise and Fall of Little Voice' in Sherringham's Little Theatre came about enitrely by chance, after viewing Wicked for the first time, my sister had become quite into Caroline Keiff, who had played Nessarose, and whilst looking for information on her, I discovered her next two production,s The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Legally Blonde. This immediately became my sister's birthday present, and I, never one to pass up on a free ticket, went along.

I hadn't seen the original film with Jane Horrocks before watchign the show, and in retrospect, and glad of this, as while it is a good film, I fear it would have affected my viewing. We arrived early, my parents disappearing to nearby Croma (but not before my mother had a chat with one of the rep's other directors Mr. Nicky Henson, who she recognised from Fawlty Towers) whilst we idled away the time in theatre bar. 

I have often said that I wish I could keep a recording of a few plays for posterity, and Little Voice would certainly be high on my list. Whilst the theatre was restrictive (the chairs clearly not designed for a gentleman as tall as myself) the cast managed to make the most of it, and there was not a single bad performancei n the bunch. Caroline Keiff is heartbreaking in the title role, but also an excellent mimic, performing songs by Judy Garland, Lulu and Shirley Bassey iwth great aplomb, whilst the grotesques of her mother and her neighbour Sadie are entertaining and repulsive at the same time. The comedy is continued by Alistair Scott as the toupee wearing emcee Mr. Boo and Paul Merton lookout Charlie Buckland, whose Ray Say was wonderfulyl sleazy and managed to genuinely surprise the audience as he emerged from the back of the aisles performign a drunken rendition of Roy Orbison's "It's Over". Finally, Brett Lee Roberts portrayed the usually thankless role of Billy, LV's equally shy love interest, but managed to create a three-dimensionally, empathetic character who brings the play to a touching conclusion.

Our own evening ended quite brilliantly, as I managed to arrange for my sister to meet her idol, something which I have never let her forget.

Theatre Notes

• The play was directed by Desmond Barrit, the theatre's patron and the former Wizard in Wicked, which he starred in alongside Caroline Keiff.