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The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is back where it belongs, Up North!
It began life as a play in 1992 and follows a proper working-class Northern family. It’s written with such humour and harsh realism that it’s unsurprising it was turned into an award-winning movie starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine.
I remember watching it as a teenager and feeling like I knew these people. It was so relatable and potentially the first film I saw that had Northerners in, with accents and all!
And thanks to this UK tour, I would finally get to enjoy the original source material, written by Jim Cartwright.
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What’s it all about?
It’s a deeply funny and darkly heart-breaking play about a young girl called Little Voice. She’s a quiet, shy and almost agoraphobic lady who, thanks to the magic of records, spends all her time with the likes of Judy Garland, Lulu and Shirley Bassey.
She’s belittled by her drunken mother who happens to start dating, Ray, an artist manager of z-lister acts. One day, he overhears Little Voice perfectly impersonating her favourite singers and knows he’s hit the jackpot. But as her stardom rises, so does her anxiety until it all goes up in flames.
The stars who shine
Christina Bianco manages to capture Little Voice with such gentleness – like an injured bird who needs protecting at all costs. As expected, she says very little the whole play and we rely on her subtle physical movements. Until she finally finds her voice and we get treated to the most incredible impersonations.
Her medley in the spotlight at Mr Boo’s night club was a joy to watch. I was also wowed by her breakdown where she manically speaks using famous lyrics and quotes, communicating through stars voices and not her own. You cannot deny how talented Christina is – it’s like she was made to play Little Voice!
At times this play may suffer from lack of pace, but if there’s someone who would change that very quickly it was Shobna Gulati. You will see her like never before!
Mari is the selfish, foul mouthed mother of Little Voice. And Shobna absolutely nails this trashy, full-on bully who hurts anyone around her. She’s suitably pathetic and desperate just as much as she is sex mad and venomously volatile. I’ve seen her in many productions and I think this is the first time that I have been stunned by her acting chops.
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is a real Northern gem and British Theatre is richer because of it. An understated production that shines thanks to its gritty storyline and powerhouse performances.
Playing at The Lowry in Salford until Saturday 11 June 2022.
Image Credit: Pamela Raith Photography