Molly Wobbly
Phoenix Artist Club
Reviewed on Wednesday 12th March 2014
'The town of Little Happening gets an unexpected make-over when a devious and creepy stranger arrives on Mammary Lane promising personal improvement to three unhappy women.'
Molly Wobbly (formerly known as Molly Wobbly's Tit Factory) was supposed to receive its London premiere at the Hackney Empire last September. However, when a financial backer pulled out moments before the first preview the entire run was cancelled. Fast forward six months and Paul Boyd's musical is back up on its feet, running in the back room at the Phoenix Artist Club (below the Phoenix Theatre, home to the West End production of Once).
Molly Wobbly is a weird and wonderful unapologetic musical with moments of heart. Many have noted the show's cult potential and compared it to the likes of The Rocky Horror Show and Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens. Regardless of whether you follow the story or not, Molly Wobbly provides ninety minutes of bizarre escapism.
Boyd's score is fantastic. Prior to seeing the show last night I had only heard one number, 'Suddenly At All' when it was performed live at The Singers Soirée. Despite having only heard the number once, the moment it began last night I recognised it. The cast are very strong, with standout performances coming from Leanne Jones, Jordan Lee Davies (a future Frank N Furter?) and Kate England. The concert staging is basic and the costumes are mostly plain black, but it’s all part of the light-hearted fun.
The Phoenix Artist Club is a lovely little venue, filled with theatrical charm and character. With some work and development (dressing rooms are in the two corners of the room and noise from the bar is distracting) it could certainly become one of my favourite London fringe venues. Molly Wobbly is actually perfectly suited to a more intimate theatre, like the Phoenix Artist Club.
It's not Shakespeare, it's not Lloyd Webber and it isn't commercial, but Molly Wobbly provides a naughty and alternative evening at the theatre.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins
Molly Wobbly runs at the Phoenix Artist Club until Wednesday 19th March 2014.
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