Review: Ace Of Clubs at the Union Theatre

Ace Of Clubs

Union Theatre

Reviewed on Friday 9th May 2014

Noël Coward's Ace of Clubs hasn't been staged professionally in Central London since its original 1950 production. Although it's not the best piece of theatre ever written, once again the team at the Union have done a remarkable job, bringing a fairly bland piece of theatre alive.

Set in a 1949 London nightclub from which the musical is named after, Ace Of Clubs follows singer Pinkie Leroy who falls in love with a sailor named Harry Hornby. Gangsters, a lost package and a missing diamond necklace try to come between the pair, but do they get their happy ending? Well, it's safe to say Ace Of Clubs is predictable, although it does have one or two moments of greatness.

Once again the Union Theatre has been completely transformed so that every audience member feels as if they are sat inside the nightclub where the action unfolds. It may not have been one of the most comfortable evenings I've ever spent at the theatre, but the concept is strong and the design is stunning. It was very special to look around the theatre and see lots of smiling (and squashed) faces.

Packed with ballads and marvellous dance numbers (my favourite being the superbly named 'Would You Like To Stick A Pin In My Balloon?'), the score has some fine moments.

Emma Harris and Gary Wood shine as Pinkie and Harry. Wood is a particularly talented dancer and always graces the stage with gentle charm. A show-stealing performance comes from Lucy May Barker as Baby Belgrave.

Ace Of Clubs is a fun yet forgettable show. The creative team have done all they can to make the production stimulating, and I doubt anyone could have done a better job. I had a fun evening but in a couple of weeks will remember few details about the musical (not the production).

However, the Union Theatre made the right decision to revive this show - where would we be without the Union?! It's so important we have theatres in London like the Union that not only provide glorious theatrical experiences, but also educate and remind audiences about lost pieces of theatre few have heard of. I've written it before, but I'll write it again - you are not a true London theatregoer until you have spent an evening (or afternoon) at the Union. 

A fantastic production of a weak show.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

Ace Of Clubs runs at the Union Theatre until Saturday 31st May 2014.
Please visit www.uniontheatre.biz for further information and tickets.

Photo Credit: Roy Tan

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