“Finding your own voice can be magic.”
This stage musical play, has a great script and heart-warming story about a dysfunctional family and the inadvertent discovery of torch-songs singer LV by little known agent RAY SAY. The show’s many songs will touch your heart, bring a smile to your lips, and perhaps some tears too.
Some of you may have seen the excellent and well-cast, but non-musical, cinema movie that was based on the musical play of “Little Voice” (1998) and starred Jane Horrocks (LV), Michael Caine (Ray Say) and Ewan McGregor (Billy).
Our very own Sydney based Debbie Neilson was outstanding in the title role as LV. The show starts with LV’s very foul mouthed mother, mentally torturing and bullying her painfully introverted daughter, whose speaking voice is barely audible, hence her name “Little Voice”.
The scene with LV singing a medley of great uplifting songs, in multiple voices that sound just like the original artists, surpassed expectations. Catchy songs delivered with perfect timing and the precise voices of Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe, and more.
LV’s sudden transformation from being an introverted and very shy recluse to a stellar and stage seizing extroverted performer is well timed and executed with style (and unlike the movie version, ”bi-polar personality” never entered my mind), and her bright green sequin costume was a stunning choice. The very apt metaphors are delivered within the song lyrics, such as “blue birds singing and flying to freedom” and “the homing pigeon who tastes freedom and won’t come home”.
The tone darkens during the last third of the musical, as the sub-plot dealing with the unknown agent RAY SAV, a no-talent no-body who is eking out a subsistence living around the edges of the British entertainment business, and what happens to him, when the female protagonist (LV) ”finally makes it”. Whilst there are much more rewarding pursuits in this life, it is so much the better when we are permitted the schadenfreude arising from his subsequent collapse. The play ends with LV explaining all about her small voice to her mum, in a VERY BIG and quite normal voice, “You never let me get a word in, that’s why.” Hopefully both of them, will be changed forever by those well chosen words.
LV never had an interest in performing again. Just one incredible performance was all there would ever be. LV takes us on her journey of discovering the joy in her life. This a great, feel-good story of triumph by LV, containing both drama and humanity
Lane Cove Theatre Company’s production of Jim Cartwright’s THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE, directed by Christine Firkin, and starring Wendy Morton, Nick Bolton, Kevin Weir, Luke Reeves, Michelle Bellamy, Mark Reiss and Debbie Neilson as LV (Little Voice) played for just five performances at the O’Kelley Drama Theatre, St Ignatius College, Tambourine Bay Road, Riverview between the 10th and 13th April.
The New Theatre together with the Lane Cove Theatre Company have announced a new season of this production which will take place at the New Theatre, Newtown between the 15th and 24th May, playing Thursdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 5pm. Final performance will take place on Saturday 24th May at 5pm. Running time 2 hours and 30 minutes including one fifteen minute interval.